Human Factors and Ergonomics

04/23/2025: Poultry Processing and Worker Health: Results from the PULSE Study

About the webinar:

The PULSE Poultry Study evaluated over 1,000 workers across 11 plants in 2024 to understand how the speed of chicken processing affects workers’ risk of muscle and joint problems. 81% of evaluated workers were found to be at high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders, with jobs involving fast, repetitive tasks like trimming or deboning especially risky. The faster workers had to handle chicken parts (called ‘worker speed’ or ‘piece rate’), the higher their hazard and risk of developing injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.

ERG110 | 10/12 - 12/13/2026 | Evidence-Based Human Factors and Ergonomics

This course is designed to prepare you to be a competent consumer of research by applying a thorough critique of various papers and applying conclusions from published research into ergonomic practice. You will read various research articles and identify the study objectives, aims, and hypotheses as well as critique the study methods for appropriate study design, generalizability, sources of bias, and threats to validity. You will also learn about observational studies (cross-sectional, prospective, retrospective, and case-control), intervention (parallel and multi-factorial randomized...

Using a wearable surface electromyography forearm cuff to quantify the frequency and duration of repetitive hand exertions among workers performing hand intensive jobs

Bendra P
Houghton FC
Afterman M
Barr A
Harris Adamson C
2024

Using wearable device and deep learning methods to recognize occupational physical activities

Yan, Y.
Jacobs, J.
Barr, A.
O’Connell
G.D.
Harris-Adamson, C.
2023

Investigation of Ergonomic Pipette Design, a Systematic Review

Afterman, M.
Honan, M.
Barr, A.
Harris-Adamson, C
2023

The impact of computer mice weight on muscle activity, performance, and user preferences while gaming

Yan, Y
et al

The impact of distance learning on physical activity, mental health, and learning among 4th graders during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ballen B
Okoro J
Afterman M
Barr A
Robertson M
Harris Adamson C
Austin Sanders
2022

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced additional concerns for childhood obesity, cardiometabolic disorders, and mental health among children from lower socioeconomic status (SES) households. This study aimed to understand how distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the healthy habits, mental health, and metabolic health of 4th graders in an under-resourced district. 4th graders from 3 elementary schools answered questions about their habits related to diet, physical activity, sleep, and hydration during the pandemic (distance education). Students’ height, weight, waist,...

Factors Associated With Reporting Attitudes of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Direct Care Workers in South Korea

Minjung Kyung
Soo-Jeong Lee, RN, PhD, ANP
Laura M Wagner
Carisa Harris-Adamson
Oisaeng Hong, RN, PhD, FAAN
2024

Background: Workers' reporting of work-related injuries or illnesses is important for treatment and prevention, yet research often focuses on reporting barriers. This study aimed to identify factors related to work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD) reporting attitudes and their connection to reporting intention and behavior.

Methods: We analyzed data from 377 direct care workers employed in 19 long-term care facilities in South Korea. A self-administered questionnaire collected demographics, job characteristics, physical and psychosocial...

Professional and High-level Gamers: Differences in Performance, Muscle Activity, and Hand Kinematics for Different Mice

Li G
Wang M
Arippa F
Barr A
Rempel D
Liu Y
Harris Adamson C
2021

Computer mouse design can impact user comfort and performance. The effect of mouse design on gamers, who use a mouse for long hours and apply higher velocity movements than office workers, is uncertain. Professional (N = 29) and high-level (N = 19) gamers participated in this laboratory study and performed Fitts’ and gaming tasks (OverwatchTM) with different mice, and this analysis compared results from a light-weight (87 g) wireless mouse and a very light-weight (80 g) wireless mouse. There was little difference between the mice on muscle activity, hand...

Design of 3D Microgestures for Commands in Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality

Li G
Rempel D
Liu Y
Song W
Harris Adamson C
2021

Virtual and augmented reality (VR, AR) systems present 3D images that users can interact with using controllers or gestures. The design of the user input process is crucial and determines the interactive efficiency, comfort, and adoption. Gesture-based input provides a device-free interaction that may improve safety and creativity compared to using a hand controller while allowing the hands to perform other tasks. Microgestures with small finger and hand motions may have an advantage over the larger forearm and upper arm gestures by reducing distraction, reducing fatigue, and...