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Objective: This study is to develop a design and evaluation guide to the ergonomic design of the farm working convenient equipments in order for the elderly to use them easily and safely. Background: The aging population has already increased in farm villages. But due to the usage of the farm working equipments that did not reflect the characteristics and functional changes of aging, accidents and patients with disease are increasing. Method: The study investigated the functional changes and physical, cognitive, and sensuous characteristics of the aged. By determining the criteria for classification of the convenient equipments by crop, and by finding out the items necessary for the ergonomic design, a guide to this study is proposed. Results: It is obvious that the physical, cognitive and sensuous functions change as the aging process continues. Therefore, for the design and evaluation of Control Panel, Control Lever, Frame Size, Shape, and Equipment Weight that are the necessary items for the ergonomic approach for the farm working equipments, such characteristics have to be reflected. Conclusion: Through this study, a guide to the design and evaluation of convenient equipments for the farm works that reflected the aging characteristics and functional changes has been proposed. Application: The result of this study is to expect not only designers but also related specialists to make the best use of it.

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The purpose of this study is to derive and analyze the static, dynamic, and muscle strength measurement items of amputees in Korea for the design of large-scale agricultural work equipment considering their altered physical characteristics and functions. A total of 46 amputees participated in the study, with 34 males and 12 females in the age ranging between 30 and 60 years. Thirty items were derived for the measurement items considering the designing of the large-scale agricultural work equipment. The measurement results were presented as 5%tiles, 50%tiles, and 95%tiles values by item and gender, and t-test verification was performed on gender basis. There was a statistically significant difference between the men and women in most of the measurement items. Our results indicate that the male data should be used for the spatial design of equipment with static measurement items and the design of the controllers with dynamic measurement items, whereas the female data should be applied in the designing of parts that require muscle strength, such as accelerators. The results of this study can provide a basic data for developing the design of large-scale agricultural work equipment and machines that are usable and convenient for amputees in Korea, and in exploring the anthropometric measurements of the subtypes of people with physical disabilities.

Handicapped people frequently spend a lot of time on their wheelchair. The design of wheelchairs should consider the convenience based upon the physical function and characteristics to prevent secondary disorders. One hundred one male and female handicapped persons above the age of twenty were classified into two different categories (Musculoskeletal handicap, Brain related handicap) and a survey was taken regarding the inconvenience while using the wheelchair. A design guideline is established based on 14 measurements of different parts of the body to reduce the inconvenience.