Electroencephalography (Eeg) Activity Associated With Manual Lifting Tasks: A Neuroergonomics Study

Electroencephalography (EEG) has been shown to be a reliable tool in neuroergonomics studies due to the relatively low cost of brain data collection and limited body invasion. The application of EEG frequency bands (including theta, alpha and beta) enjoyed a wide range of interest in physical and cognitive ergonomics. The psychophysical approach has been used for decades to improve safe work practices by understanding human limitations in manual materials handling. The main objective of this research project was to study brain’s EEG activity expressed by the power spectral density during manual lifting tasks related to (1) the maximum acceptable weight of lift (MAWL) and (2) isokinetic and isometric lifting strength tests measurement outcomes. The first study investigated changes in EEG power spectral density during determination of MAWL under low, medium, and high lifting frequencies. A high-density wireless dry cell EEG device has been used to record EEG signals. A total of 20 healthy males participated in this experiment study. Subjects repeated the same experiment after two weeks. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences in EEG power spectral density between different lifting frequencies at three main brain areas (frontal, central, and parietal). The second study revealed differences in brain activity during isokinetic and isometric strength measurements based on recording and analysis of EEG power spectral density. This research project is the first study of EEG activity during manual lifting tasks, including the assessment of MAWL by the psychophysical method as well as the measurement of human isokinetic and isometric strengths. The results of this project are considered critical to our increased understanding of the neural correlates of human physical activities and, consequently, should have an impact on the success of workplace design that considers brain activity related to specific human capabilities and limitations in manual lifting tasks