Intrinsic movement variability at work. How long is the path from motor control to design engineering?

Area of Science:

• Ergonomics
• Human Factors
• Motor Control

Background:

• Movement variability, previously neglected, is increasingly recognized in scientific studies.
• Workstation design largely ignores the concept of intrinsic movement variability.
• Motor control theories explain factors influencing movement execution and task completion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review motor control theories and factors influencing movement execution.
• To clarify the role of intrinsic movement variability in task completion.
• To guide ergonomists and workstation designers in utilizing these concepts for improved design tools.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of motor control theories.
• Analysis of factors influencing movement execution.
• Discussion of techniques (kinematics, kinetics, muscular activity) for describing movement variability.

Main Results:

• Intrinsic movement variability is an integral part of completing occupational tasks.
• Existing design tools do not adequately incorporate movement variability.
• Identifying and describing movement variability presents significant challenges.

Conclusions:

• Ergonomists and designers need to better understand and integrate intrinsic movement variability into their tools.
• Appropriate kinematic, kinetic, and muscular activity descriptors are needed for accurate variability analysis.
• Improved understanding will lead to more realistic simulations of worker movements in workstation design.