PROCEEDINGSof theHUMANFACTORSANDERGONOMICSOCIETY45thANNUALMEETING-2001 VERBAL ESTIMATION OF PEAK FORCE

This study investigated the precision and accuracy with which individuals could estimate the magnitude of submaximal, upper extremity forceful exertions over a range of tasks typical of occupational/industrial settings. Without training, the average estimation errors were 15.3, 23.2, and 11.8%Max for low, medium, and high levels of force, respectively. When subjects were first exposed to a single, maximum exertion, these error levels improved to 9.8, 14.3, and 10.6%Max. When exposed to two additional benchmarks of 25 % and 75%Max, error improved further to 6.8, 11.8, and 9.4%Max. Introduction: high to use on a widespread basis, thus limiting In the process of engineering tasks or products, an their utility in the field. important design parameter is the force required to perform or operate the system. One of the obstacles Alternatively, subjective methods such as to studying forceful upper extremity exertions is a observational ratings and psychophysics may b