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Influence of age on VDU work
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Age significantly impacts data entry operator performance and health. Older operators experience more visual strain and musculoskeletal issues, with age negatively correlating with keying speed and accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Ergonomics
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Data processing centers face intensive workloads, necessitating performance monitoring.
- Keying speed and typing errors are crucial metrics for data entry operators.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the impact of age on VDU operator performance and health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of age on the performance (speed, accuracy) of data entry operators.
- To assess the relationship between age and subjective health complaints, including fatigue, visual strain, and musculoskeletal issues.
- To inform ergonomic strategies for visual display unit (VDU) workstations.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 68 experienced data entry operators (42 young, 26 older) assessed subjective symptoms and fatigue.
- Performance metrics (keying speed, typing errors) were monitored daily.
- A 5-year follow-up study tracked the performance of 22 operators.
Main Results:
- No significant physical health differences were found between younger (18-30) and older (31-45) operators.
- Older operators reported a higher prevalence of visual strain and musculoskeletal complaints.
- Significant negative correlations were observed between age and keying speed (r = -0.74, p < 0.01) and typing errors (r = 0.50, p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Age is a significant factor influencing the speed, accuracy, and health of VDU operators.
- Ergonomic interventions for VDU workstations must consider the effects of operator age.
- Older data entry operators may require tailored support to mitigate age-related performance declines and health issues.