Methods for Evaluating the Physical and Effort Requirements of Navy Tasks: Metabolic, Performance, and Physical Ability Correlates of Perceived Efforts.
Abstract
Two studies examined the reliability and validity of an index of perceived physical effort for assessing the metabolic and ergonomic costs of task performance. In each study,tasks whose actual performance costs were either available from work physiology literature or were calculated mathematically were rated by subjects who had no work cost information on physical effort required in the task. In the first study, subjects (N=50) completed pencil and paper ratings of tasks whose metabolic costs were known using physical ability dimensions and the index of perceived physical effort. Results indicated high correlations between metabolic costs and ratings of physical effort as well as ratings of various strength and stamina factors. In the second study, subjects (N=20) performed 24 diverse manual materials handling tasks whose ergonomic costs were calculated and rated each completed task on the index of physical effort. Results indicated a substantial relationship between actual ft.-lbs. of work and ratings of physical effort. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of the inherent psychometric properties of the index and it's applied utility for determining criterion performance standards and job-related training. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA072497
Entities
People
- Deborah L. Gebhardt
- Edwin A. Fleishman
- George D. Ogden
- Joyce C. Hogan