PAST EVENTS
Dr. Laura Stanley (NSF and Montana State)
February 10, 2017
Freeman Auditorium, 1:30-2:15pm
Dr. Stanley’s research interests include human factors engineering; biomechanics/ergonomics; human computer interaction (HCI); human-centered design in engineering; driver behavior in transportation safety; virtual reality validity, training and assessment; and engineering education. Her projects while at MSU have included the validation of virtual reality environments, human computer interaction applications, naturalistic driving evaluations in the emergency medicine service environment, improving novice and older driver safety, and the evaluation of the safety benefits of driver based public health interventions.
Maury A. Nussbaum (Virginia Tech)
February 03, 2017
Freeman Auditorium, 1:30-2:15pm
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Occupational Muscle Fatigue: Measurement, Modeling, and Control
Exercise and physically demanding occupational tasks have both short- and long-term consequences on muscle physiology and physical capacity. Localized muscle fatigue (LMF) refers to conditions where these consequences are isolated to single muscles or functional groups. A common assumption is that LMF can be used as an indicator of injury risk, and that by minimizing LMF, risk will also be reduced. Specific pathophysiological relationships between fatigue and injury are not well defined, yet there is increasing evidence for LMF as a causative factor in work-related chronic muscle pain. LMF can also have adverse effects on task performance. Understanding and addressing occupational LMF can thus contribute towards improved workplace evaluation and design. In this presentation, the focus will be on the occupational relevance of LMF, specifically in terms of ergonomic applications and guidelines. Limitations in the current state of knowledge will be highlighted, and an overview given of our past and ongoing efforts in the following areas: 1) quantifying and modeling the effects of intermittent work on LMF; 2) assessment of current models for simulating muscle fatigue; and 3) the effects of cycle time on fatigue and recovery.
Dr. Ling Rothrok (Penn State)
February 01, 2017
Freeman Auditorium, 1:30-2:15pm