RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Working in an office environment is characterised by physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour. This behaviour contributes to several health risks in the long run. Dynamic workstations which allow people to combine desk activities with physical activity, may contribute to prevention of these health risks. OBJECTIVE: A dynamic workstation, called Oxidesk, was evaluated to determine the possible contribution to healthy behaviour and the impact on perceived work performance. METHODS: A field test was conducted with 22 office workers, employed at a health insurance company in the Netherlands. RESULTS: The Oxidesk was well accepted, positively perceived for fitness and the participants maintained their work performance. Physical activity was lower than the activity level required in the Dutch guidelines for sufficient physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was a slight increase in physical activity, the Oxidesk may be helpful in the reducing health risks involved and seems applicable for introduction to office environments.
Assuntos
Ergonomia/instrumentação , Exercício Físico/psicologia , Desempenho Profissional/normas , Local de Trabalho/psicologia , Adulto , Ergonomia/métodos , Ergonomia/normas , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Países Baixos , Postura , Local de Trabalho/normasRESUMO
In 2010 15.2% of the work force in the Netherlands works with a computer at another location than at the office or at the clients' location. 27% of the Dutch working population is not satisfied about the possibility to work at home and 18% is not satisfied on the possibility to plan your own working time. The case control study affirms what has been reported as effects of new ways of work: the experienced productivity by communication and the representativeness of the office interior are improved and attention is needed for workers that need concentration space and need to personalize their work environment. In implementing new ways of work these issues need attention.
Assuntos
Emprego , Satisfação no Emprego , Admissão e Escalonamento de Pessoal , Telecomunicações , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Eficiência Organizacional , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Países Baixos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
In 2010 15.2% of the work force in the Netherlands works with a computer at another location than at the office or at the clients' location. 27% of the Dutch working population is not satisfied about the possibility to work at home and 18% is not satisfied on the possibility to plan your own working time. The case control study affirms what has been reported as effects of new ways of work: the experienced productivity by communication and the representativeness of the office interior are improved and attention is needed for workers that need concentration space and need to personalize their work environment. In implementing new ways of work these issues need attention.
Assuntos
Eficiência , Satisfação no Emprego , Admissão e Escalonamento de Pessoal , Telecomunicações , Trabalho/psicologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Computadores , Criatividade , Feminino , Nível de Saúde , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Países Baixos , Fatores de Tempo , Local de Trabalho/organização & administração , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The aim of the study was to identify predictors of comfort and discomfort in using hand tools. For this purpose, the comfort questionnaire for hand tools (CQH) was developed based on the results of a previous study. In the current study, four screwdrivers were evaluated on comfort (expected comfort at first sight and comfort after short time use) using the CQH and discomfort (local perceived discomfort). The results showed that expected comfort at first sight was predicted by aesthetics. Additionally, functionality and physical interaction, and adverse body effects were the major predictors of overall comfort after short time use. Discomfort was predicted by adverse body effects only. It is concluded that comfort and discomfort in using hand tools have partly the same underlying factors: discomfort feelings also affect the comfort experience.
Assuntos
Comportamento do Consumidor , Desenho de Equipamento , Ergonomia , Mãos/fisiologia , Adulto , Estética , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ocupações , Análise de Componente Principal , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
To design comfortable hand tools, knowledge about comfort/discomfort in using hand tools is required. We investigated which factors determine comfort/discomfort in using hand tools according to users. Therefore, descriptors of comfort/discomfort in using hand tools were collected from literature and interviews. After that, the relatedness of a selection of the descriptors to comfort in using hand tools was investigated. Six comfort factors could be distinguished (functionality, posture and muscles, irritation and pain of hand and fingers, irritation of hand surface, handle characteristics, aesthetics). These six factors can be classified into three meaningful groups: functionality, physical interaction and appearance. The main conclusions were that (1) the same descriptors were related to comfort and discomfort in using hand tools, (2) descriptors of functionality are most related to comfort in using hand tools followed by descriptors of physical interaction and (3) descriptors of appearance become secondary in comfort in using hand tools.
