Evaluation of Body Joint Motion Stressfulness Based on Perceived Discomfort

Abstract

This study aims to develop ranking systems for evaluation of the stressfulness of the joint motions based on perceived discomforts, which were measured in the laboratory experiments in the sitting and standing postures using the magnitude estimation. The results showed that the perceived joint discomforts were affected by the joint motions, type of joint motions, and joints. The joints and joint motions were classified into several distinct classes according to perceived stresses. Three ranking systems based on the perceived discomforts were developed, including classification by the joint motions and joints, by types of joint motions, and by the joints only. The ranking systems developed in this study were different from the existing rankings reported by others.