Application of Biochemical Indexes in Ergonomics Evaluation under Extreme Conditions

Abstract

A new method was designed to evaluate the ergonomics under extreme hypoxic environment. In traditional methods for ergonomics evaluation, some methods are often used, such as questionnaire survey, sound or video recording etc. The most significant feature of those methods is that interactive communication with the volunteers is needed. Those methods are, however, limitedly suitable for the ergonomics evaluation under extreme environment such as hypoxia, noxious gases etc. It is harmful to the human body under extreme environment. In this experiment, some biochemical indexes were studied and applied to evaluate the ergonomics under extreme hypoxic environment. The corresponding relationship between the changes of physiological and biochemical indexes and the ergonomics was established. Then it was used to evaluate the ergonomics under extreme hypoxia condition objectively. According to biomedical standard and the request of ergonomics evaluation, preliminary ergonomics regions under hypoxic environment were divided objectively. Under hypoxia condition, from the ergonomic point of view, 20.9% O2 is the optimal ergonomics value, 15%, 10% and 8% O2 are three important thresholds and might belong in warrant, limit and critical region respectively. This way is more practical and objective for evaluating the ergonomics under extreme conditions.Keywordsergonomicsbiochemical indexextreme conditionhypoxic