Validity And Reliability Of Vicon Motion Capture Camera Over The Traditional Anthropometric Method

@#Anthropometric study is one of the oldest branches of study in ergonomics where it serves a purpose in study of proportion and size for human body. One of the common methods used in anthropometric measurement is traditional measurement or direct measurement. However, Malaysia is still left behind other countries in development of national anthropometric database. Researchers in Malaysia are still relying on the traditional anthropometric (TA) measurement. There are several important factors that contribute to problems in TA such as accuracy, time, posture, identification of landmarks, instrument positions and orientations, and pressure exerted due to measuring equipment. In view of the fact that the difficulties of obtaining human anthropometry, it becomes necessary to propose a method which has less contact executed to respondent. This study aims to propose a new anthropometric measurement method using motion capture camera (MCC) method, later to develop the database for youth male population. A pilot test was done in order to confirm the measuring procedure as well as the flow of the study. Next, the Minitab statistical software used to check the validity and reliability of data using the tests of a) Accuracy-Pearson/Spearman Correlation b) BiasPaired T-Test c) Test-Retest Reliability-Pearson/Spearman Correlation d) Precision-Mean Absolute Difference and Relative Error Measurement. Results showed that the validity and reliability of this motion camera has successfully obtained and the anthropometric data for youth male respondents has successfully constructed. These findings can be used and expended to the national anthropometric database to be utilised in ergonomics design.

Level Of Indoor Air Quality Among Malaysian Commuter Users: A Case Study

@#Research on environmental ergonomics of train/commuter is very limited. Thus, this study was conducted with aims to determine the environmental ergonomic of public transport, whether it is in accordance to indoor air quality standard inside women coach cabin train during operations. Although the number of passengers is increasing, some claimed that the indoor air quality for the Malaysian commuter train is uncertain, especially at peak times. Unsatisfactory feedback from some respondents—especially female passengers—will affect other passengers to remain loyal to use this facility as one of the main transportation to reduce the traffic congestion that will be faced if using private vehicles. The study conducted during peak hours on the weekends and the trip took exactly two hours and covered 18 main stations. The measurement devices placed at the centre of the cabin Komuter using Air Quality Meter (AIRFLOW Instrument Model TA465). The main parameters measured were temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide (CO2). This study also counts the number of passengers riding the train. The results showed that the indoor air quality (AIQ) level of the morning hour will affect passengers’ health more compared to the evening hour (this is due to the CO2 level that has exceeded the safety standard). Morning hour gave higher reading of CO2 (43.8%) and relative humidity (17%) compared to evening hour. Evening hours also showed greater temperature at 3%. The findings can give awareness to the train company to improve the IAQ by installing a suitable ventilation system and can give comfort to the passengers when travelling using Malaysian commuter train The results showed that the indoor air quality (AIQ) level of the morning hour will affect passengers’ health more compared to the evening hour (this is due to the CO2 level that has exceeded the safety standard). Morning hour gave higher reading of CO2 (43.8%) and relative humidity (17%) compared to evening hour. Evening hours also showed greater temperature at 3%. The findings can give awareness to the train company to improve the IAQ by installing a suitable ventilation system and can give comfort to the passengers when travelling using Malaysian commuter train.

Analysis On The Effect Of Personalised Insole For Prolonged Standing Industrial Workers

@#Working in prolonged standing position among industrial workers has been shown to be associated with different potentially serious health outcomes, namely lower back pain, leg pain, fatigue, discomfort, and other health issues. Personalisation of insole offers a solution that will provide a perfect fit and comfort to the shoes wearer based on the ergonomic considerations. It works in a way that it alters the pressure away from painful areas by increasing the surface area that supports the weight of the body and evenly distributes it to the whole plantar area. Survey was conducted among workers at a manufacturing industry company to study on the level of pain experienced by them together with their foot anthropometry. Then, the foot pressure of each of the workers was collected by using pressure measurement device (F-scan). Combination of these data was used to design the customized insole that is fit for the worker. The personalised insoles were fabricated by using Additive Manufacturing technology. After that, the insoles were validated by using the F-scan and Electromyogram (EMG) to ensure their effectiveness in reducing pressures on the foot and muscle activity hence improving the comfort of the shoe wearer. At the end of the experiment, it was found that the insole is able to reduce the peak pressure of four out of five areas of the worker’s foot with the reduction of pressure percentage ranging from 6% to 28%.