THE EFFECTS OF BODY THERMAL STATE ON MANUAL PERFORMANCE,
Abstract
Thirty-six young men were exposed for 2 hours to environmental temperatures of 10, 26.7, or 46C. Measurements of rectal and skin temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate were made, and average skin and average body temperatures were calculated. Manual performance consisted of standardized peg tests for hand and finger dexterity, and a written motor coordination test. Converted scores showed no significant differences in peg placing at any of the thermal states studied. Men exposed to the neutral environment scored highest in the finger dexterity tests, but values for motor coordination were greater in the heat than in the other two environments. These data suggest that coarse hand movements are independent of body thermal state, but that more discrete tasks involving hand and finger dexterity, and motor coordination, can be most efficiently performed in warmer environments which promote at least thermally neutral values of skin and deep body temperature. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0675522
Entities
People
- E. A. Higgins
- Elinore M. Galerston
- G. E. Funkhouser
- J. A. Vaughan
Organizations
- Federal Aviation Administration