Physical exertion modeling for construction tasks using combined cardiorespiratory and thermoregulatory measures

Self Cite

Cardiorespiratory (e.g., heart rate and breathing rate) and thermoregulatory (e.g., local skin temperature and electrodermal activity) responses are controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. To cope with increased physical workload, the sympathetic system upregulates its activity to generate greater sympathetic responses (i.e., increased heart rate and respiratory rate). Therefore, physiological measures may have the potential to evaluate changes in physical condition (including fatigue) during functional tasks. This study aimed to quantify physical fatigue using wearable cardiorespiratory and thermoregulatory sensors during a simulated construction task. Twenty-five healthy individuals (mean age, 31.8 ± 1.8 years) were recruited. Participants were instructed to perform 30 min of a simulated manual material handling task in a laboratory. The experimental setup comprised a station A, a 10-metre walking platform, and a station B. Each participant was asked to pick up a 15 kg ergonomically-designed wooden box from station A and then carried it along the platform and dropped it at station B. The task was repeated from B to A and then A to B until the participants perceived a fatigue level > 15 out of 20 on the Borg-20 scale. Heart rate, breathing rate, local skin temperature, and electrodermal activity at the wrist were measured by wearable sensors and the perceived physical fatigue was assessed using the Borg-20 scale at baseline, 15 min, and 30 min from the baseline. There were significant increases in the heart rate (mean changes: 50 ± 13.3 beats/min), breathing rate (mean changes: 9.8 ± 4.1 breaths), local skin temperature (mean changes: 3.4 ± 1.9 °C), electrodermal activity at the right wrist (mean changes: 7.1 ± 3.8 µS/cm), and subjective physical fatigue (mean changes: 8.8 ± 0.6 levels) at the end of the simulated construction task (p < 0.05). Heart rate and breathing rate at 15 and 30 min were significantly correlated with the corresponding subjective Borg scores (p < 0.01). Local skin temperature at 30 min was significantly correlated with the corresponding Borg scores (p < 0.05). However, electrodermal activity at the right wrist was not associated with Borg scores at any time points. The results implied cardiorespiratory parameters and local skin temperature were good surrogates for measuring physical fatigue. Conversely, electrodermal activity at the right wrist was unrelated to physical fatigue. Future field studies should investigate the sensitivity of various cardiorespiratory and thermoregulatory parameters for real time physical fatigue monitoring in construction sites.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cardiorespiratory and Thermoregulatory Parameters Are Good Surrogates for Measuring Physical Fatigue during a Simulated Construction Task

Anwer

Antwi‐Afari

et al. 2020

Self Cite

“…Studies may explore how UWB-based RTLS could be used to compliment behavior-based safety to reduce such risk-taking tendencies. Similarly, UWB-based RTLS could be used in combination with real-time physiological data of construction workers [47], in order to enhance occupational safety on construction sites. Last, but not the least, by combining location data with ergonomic analysis [48,49], work conditions could be improved further by identifying the more critical work stations on the site.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Ultra Wide Band Real-Time Location System on Construction Jobsites: Feasibility Study and Deployment Alternatives

Umer

Siddiqui

2020

Self Cite

Ultra wide band (UWB)-based real-time location systems (RTLSs) have been widely adopted in the manufacturing industry for tracking tools, materials, and ensuring safety. Researchers in the construction domain have investigated similar uses for UWB-based RTLSs on construction jobsites. However, most of these investigations comprised small-scale experiments using average accuracy only to demonstrate use cases for the technology. Furthermore, they did not consider alternative deployment scenarios for practically feasible deployment of the technology. To overcome these limitations, a series of experiments were performed to study the feasibility of a commercially available RTLS on the construction jobsites. The focus of the work was on feasibility in terms of accuracy analysis of the system for a large experimental site, the level of effort requirements for deployment, and the impact of deployment alternatives on the accuracy of the system. The results found that average accuracy was found to be a misleading indicator of the perceived system performance (i.e., 95th percentile values were considerably higher than average values). Moreover, accuracy is significantly affected by the deployment alternatives. Collectively, the results arising from the study could help construction/safety managers in decision making related to the deployment of UWB-based RTLSs for their construction sites.

“…In this regard, physical exertion is the immediate result of a strenuous effort or use of energy that can later develop into physical and acute fatigue. As the literature evidences, physical exertion is the primary source of physical fatigue [21]. It alters the sympathetic nervous response, modifies oxygen uptake, and increases heart rate and blood lactate concentrations [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In other words, it activates a physiological adaptation to respond to the strenuous effort. As a result, various physiological variables have been used to assess physical exertion during physically demanding activities as they are objective indicators of physical endurance (when the body is able to cope with the physical stress) or conditions that can later develop into fatigue or severe health impairments [21,23,24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The assessment of physical exertion through non-invasive physiological monitoring is described in the literature as a possible way to track the levels of effort involved during exhausting activities [21,25]. These levels of effort can be observed through upper and lower physiological limit values, which can also delineate the individual's threshold limits above which their safety would be compromised.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Non-Invasive Physiological Monitoring for Physical Exertion and Fatigue Assessment in Military Personnel: A Systematic Review

Bustos

Guedes

Vaz

et al. 2021

During operational activities, military personnel face extremely demanding circumstances, which when combined lead to severe fatigue, influencing both their well-being and performance. Physical exertion is the main condition leading to fatigue, and its continuous tracking would help prevent its effects. This review aimed to investigate the up-to-date progress on non-invasive physiological monitoring to evaluate situations of physical exertion as a pre-condition to fatigue in military populations, and determine the potential associations between physiological responses and fatigue, which can later result in decision-making indicators to prevent health-related consequences. Adhering to the PRISMA Statement, four databases (Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science and PubMed) were used for a literature search based on combinations of keywords. The eligibility criteria focused on studies monitoring physiological variables through non-invasive objective measurements, with these measurements being developed in military field, combat, or training conditions. The review process led to the inclusion of 20 studies. The findings established the importance of multivariable assessments in a real-life context to accurately characterise the effects of military practices. A tendency for examining heart rate variables, thermal responses, and actigraphy measurements was also identified. The objectives and experimental protocols were diverse, but the effectiveness of non-invasive measurements in identifying the most fatigue-inducing periods was demonstrated. Nevertheless, no assessment system for standardised application was presented. Future work may include the development of assessment methods to translate physiological recordings into actionable information in real-time and mitigate the effects of fatigue on soldiers’ performance accurately.