The Effects of whole-body restriction on task performance
Date
2000Author
Mozrall, Jacqueline
Drury, Colin
Sharts, Joseph
Cerny, Frank
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Many occupations, particularly involving maintenance operations, require
individuals to perform both physical tasks and mental tasks in restricted spaces.
Researchers have examined physical task performance under various restrictions;
however, little research has investigated the effects of restricted space on cognitive
tasks. Cognitive task performance in restricted spaces presents cognitive demands
(i.e. the task itself) as well as additional physical demands (e.g. awkward
postures), which may adversely affect task performance or operator workload.
This research focused on the effects of whole-body restrictions on cognitive task
performance. An experiment was conducted that examined 9 levels of restriction
created in a laboratory: an unrestricted control, 6 single whole-body restrictions
at two severity levels (2 lateral, 2 sagittal and 2 vertical) and 2 multiple restrictions
(sagittal/vertical, lateral/sagittal/vertical). An inspection task served as the
cognitive task. Behavioural, physiological and psychophysical measures were
collected and analysed to measure the operator and performance effects. Operator
response differences were found among the various forms of restriction as well as
the severity level of similar forms of restriction. Increasing restriction significantly
affected the behavioural and physiological operator response as opposed to the
cognitive response.