Overloaded and at Work: Investigating the Effect of Cognitive Workload on Assembly Task Performance.

Human Factors
Francesco N BiondiJoel Cort

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of cognitive overload on assembly task performance and muscle activity. Understanding an operator's cognitive workload is an important component in assessing human-machine interaction. However, little evidence is available on the effect that cognitive overload has on task performance and muscle activity when completing manufacturing tasks. Twenty-two volunteers completed an assembly task while performing a secondary cognitive task with increasing levels of demand (n-back). Performance in the assembly task (completion times, accuracy), muscle activity recorded as integrated electromyography (EMG), and self-reported workload were measured. Results show that the increasing cognitive demand imposed by the n-back task resulted in impaired assembly task performance, overall greater muscle activity, and higher self-reported workload.Relative to the control condition, performing the 2-back task resulted in longer assembly task completion times (+10 s on average) and greater integrated EMG for flexor carpi ulnaris, triceps brachii, biceps brachii, anterior deltoid, and pectoralis major. This study demonstrates that working under high cognitive load not only results in greater muscle activity, but also ...Continue Reading

References

Aug 3, 2000·Journal of Physiological Anthropology and Applied Human Science·K IwanagaT Katsuura
Apr 20, 2004·Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology·J R Potvin, S H M Brown
Jun 19, 2004·Ergonomics·Elke LeymanCarolyn Sommerich
Aug 4, 2006·Human Factors·David L StrayerDennis J Crouch
Oct 24, 2006·Accident; Analysis and Prevention·Joanne L HarblukMoshe Eizenman
Apr 3, 2009·Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology·Andrew R ChapmanPaul W Hodges
Dec 6, 2011·Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology·Joel A Cort, Jim R Potvin
Nov 5, 2015·Human Factors·David L StrayerFrancesco Biondi
Apr 28, 2017·Journal of Nursing Care Quality·Lily ThomasJoanna Stein Fishbein

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Aug 17, 2021·Technology and Health Care : Official Journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine·Michael S FineElizabeth B Brokaw

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

R project
R Core Team

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.