Integrating Physical Fitness Research Into The Ergonomics Classroom

The intent of this paper is to describe the integration of a research project into the ergonomics classroom. The class evaluated a personal strength assistant device that is meant to increase core and upper body strength. The entire ergonomics class of 19 students worked on the group research project and final write-up. The experimental group in the research project was comprised of members of the ergonomics class while a control group was assembled consisting of students outside the class. A strength improvement device was used for a maximum of five minutes, three days per week for three weeks by the experimental group. The control group maintained their regular fitness and strength activities. A general fitness assessment and a strength specific assessment were administered and rated before and after the three-week testing period for both the experimental and the control groups. The data will show that general fitness levels did not change significantly for the experimental group, or the control group. However, the strength specific measurement did statistically increase in the experimental group while strength was unchanged in the control group. Details of the project procedure as well as ergonomic applications are presented. A special thanks goes to the IME462 Summer 2004 students who participated in the experiment and presented their initial findings to the class. The following students were actively involved in preparing the initial draft of this paper: Peter Alexiev, Erin Clancy, Stephanie Cole, Eric Coyle, Nissa Doyle, Diana Dzissah, Matthew Gabriel, Jeanne Hargreaves, Dominic Inkrott, Ryan Jones, Markus Moegel, Adam Pickens, David Quintanilla, Elizabeth Rogal, Michelle Ross, Erisha Smith, Gretchen Smith, David Spurgess and Rachel Thole. Problem and Hypothesis Physical fitness is the measurement of how well a person’s body reacts to physical activity over a certain period of time. Some assessments, like number of push-ups and sit-ups, measure both fitness and strength. During the testing procedure, the students of Kettering University’s Ergonomics class assessed general fitness levels (heart rate, blood pressure, body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance and flexibility) and strength specific levels (muscular strength via hand grip, arm, and low back strength). Strength determines the ability of a person to exert a force on a physical object using muscles 1 . The students in this class (the experimental group) completed movements P ge 10791.1 “Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education” provided and formulated by the company My Loving Works 2 . This company specializes in a rehabilitation product for increasing the strength of disabled persons. Physical fitness, including strength training, has significant benefits that have been proven by earlier research 3 . These benefits include: • Increased muscular strength • Increased strength of tendons and ligaments • Potential to improve flexibility (range of motion of joints) • Reduced body fat and increased lean body mass (muscle mass) • Potential to decrease resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure • Positive changes in blood cholesterol • Improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity • Improved strength, balance, and functional ability in older adults In this experiment, the objective was to have subjects conduct four basic strength specific movements in an effort to increase strength over a specified period of time. Upon completion of the testing regimen, the results were analyzed and compared to pre-test strength data for each subject. Testing was done in reference to the American College Sports Medicine’s Guidelines 4 and to the guidelines of The Perfect Start: Assessment manual 5 . In addition, each subject was required to complete and sign a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire 4,7 (“PAR-Q & You”) which accessed the subject’s general health level prior to testing. The goal of the experiment was to asses whether doing a set of strength specific movements three times a week for three weeks would significantly increase a subject’s strength. “Muscles (and strength) can be quickly and dramatically changed by a single environmental variable, exercise training 7 .” For this experiment, the dependent variable was the subject’s strength and fitness level. The independent variable was performing each of the four strength movements. Experimental Procedure There were 29 subjects from Kettering University in Flint, MI ranging from 18 to 23 years of age. The control group was comprised of 12 students and the experimental group was comprised of 17 students. All subjects were of normal health for their age group. There were 14 males and 15 females. Two members of the initial control group did not perform the week 3 follow-up and were subsequently dropped from the analysis. One member of the initial experimental group did not complete all movement repetitions and was subsequently dropped from the analysis. Several pieces of equipment were used for the testing. The equipment used to perform the experimental movements included the Strength Assistant, gloves, cushioned floor mat, and height regulator. The equipment used to measure the strength and fitness of all subjects included: the Jackson Strength Evaluation Apparatus, IVAC Vital-Check Model 4000 blood pressure monitor, bioelectric impedance monitor, Life Cycle Aerobic Trainer P ge 10791.2 “Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education” 9500HR, cushioned floor mat with set markers, stopwatch and an Acuflex I flexibility measuring device. Several attempts were made to control variation in the experiment including: • The Control Group did not use the Strength Assistant product • The Control Group met at the beginning of Week 1 and end of Week 3 for pre and post test strength and fitness assessments • All subjects continued with their usual lifestyle (diet and exercise) • All subjects were encouraged to avoid weight training 2-3 hours before the strength trials • All Strength Assistant use occurred on the same day of the week and approximately the same time of day for the 3 week duration • The same prototype of the Strength Assistant was used by each subject • Each of the 4 movements had specific guidelines for execution • All four movements combined were to last no more than 5 minutes • The order of the movements remained consistent To determine the strength of each subject before and after the three-week duration the Jackson strength evaluation apparatus was used. This measured average force exerted over a five second time period. In all testing positions a supine palm grip was used. When the subject was ready, the experimenter pressed the initiate button. At the beep, the subject exerted effort until the second beep sounded. A warm-up trial was conducted at half effort followed by two test trials using maximum effort. The experimenter recorded the average of the two test trials. The following measurements were taken: grip strength of the dominant hand and non-dominant hand, strength of arms, and strength of back. In order to measure grip strength, the grip device was laid flat on the table and the subject seated with arm bent at 90 degrees. When measuring arm strength the subject stood and the cable and bar apparatus was lifted with the arms at a 90 degree angle. The back strength was measured by bending at the waist with the cable and bar approximately at knee level and the back straight while pulling upward. To determine the subjects’ fitness level before and after the three-week duration several fitness scores were gathered for each participant. General fitness scores included initial resting heart rate (RHR) and resting blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, MAP). Both were measured using the IVAC Vital-Check Model 4000 Blood Pressure Monitor. Body weight was measured in pounds and height was measured in inches. Percent Body Fat test was assessed on each subject using the Omron Body Fat Analyzer. Aerobic Capacity was measured using the Life Cycle Aerobic Trainer 9500HR Fit Test Program. The test was five minutes in duration and intensity level was based on predetermined activity level charts. Initial Heart Rate, ending Heart Rate, and Fit Test Scores were recorded. The sit-up test and the push-up test both indicate a measure of fitness based on muscular endurance. The half sit-up test was performed using a cushioned floor mat with markers set 31⁄2 inches apart to indicate the starting point and stopping pints. Each subject was expected to do as many sit-ups as possible in a controlled, consistent manner over a oneminute period of time. A sit-up was only counted if the subject reached the set marker. P ge 10791.3 “Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education” The push-up test protocol was different for males than females. Males performed standard push-ups on their toes and females performed modified push-ups on their knees. The subjects were instructed to do as many push-ups as possible in a controlled, consistent manner. There was no time limit on this particular test. Flexibility was measured using a modified sit and reach test with an Acuflex I flexibility measuring device. The subject was asked to remove shoes, sit on the floor with hips, back, and shoulders flat against the wall and legs straight. The experimenter aligned the sit-and-reach box against the subject’s flexed feet. The subject was asked to extend their arms in front of their body with one hand over the other and their middle finger tips touching. The experimenter then aligned the touching device and the reach indicator of the sit-and-reach box to touch the end of the subj