Non-Work Related Movements in Machine Paced and in Self-Paced Work *

Abstract

In studying the non-work related movements (NRM) on 10 experienced industrial workers performing similar light repetitive work, the following is concluded:

on the average there is 54% more NRM in machine paced than in self-paced operations (1300 NRM for self-paced work compared to 2000 NRM per 8 hours for paced work),

the older workers have significantly less NRM than the younger workers, and

the NRM were most frequent in the upper than in the lower extremities.

These differences are discussed in terms of differences in task complexity and stringency of pacing.

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