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Assessing cognitive load through eye metrics in in-motion vs. stationary environments
Yuzhang Li1, Bin Zheng2, Peter Grant3
1University of Alberta, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Applied Ergonomics
|July 13, 2025
Summary
Whole-body motion significantly increases cognitive load, as evidenced by eye metrics like pupil dilation and fixation dispersion. These findings help develop training for professionals in motion-intensive jobs.
Area of Science:
- Human Factors
- Cognitive Psychology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cognitive load assessment is vital for high-risk professions like pilots and paramedics.
- Understanding cognitive load during whole-body motion is challenging but critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify cognitive load changes using eye metrics during aiming tasks under stationary and whole-body motion conditions.
- To investigate the impact of task difficulty on cognitive load in different motion environments.
Main Methods:
- 25 participants performed reciprocal aiming tasks with varying target distances and sizes.
- Eye metrics (pupil size, blink rate, fixation dispersion, saccadic movements) were recorded.
- Tasks were conducted under both stationary and in-motion conditions.
Main Results:
- In-motion conditions led to over 100% greater pupil dilation.
- Difficult tasks under motion showed a 27% decrease in blink rate.
- Fixation dispersion increased by 29% in the in-motion condition.
Conclusions:
- Whole-body motion significantly elevates cognitive load, indicated by physiological changes.
- Eye metrics provide reliable tools for assessing cognitive load in dynamic environments.
- Findings support the development of training protocols to mitigate motion-induced cognitive impairments.
