ERGONOMICS OF PHYSICAL WORKLOAD

Course Information
TitleΕΡΓΟΝΟΜΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΠΙΒΑΡΥΝΣΗΣ / ERGONOMICS OF PHYSICAL WORKLOAD
CodeΚΑΕ10
FacultyPhysical Education and Sport Science
SchoolPhysical Education and Sports Sciences (Thessaloniki)
Cycle / Level2nd / Postgraduate
Teaching PeriodWinter
CoordinatorDimitrios Mylosis
CommonNo
StatusActive
Course ID600019952

Programme of Study: PMS ANTHRŌPINĪ APODOSĪ (2021-sīmera)

Registered students: 29
OrientationAttendance TypeSemesterYearECTS
ASKĪSĪ GIA PROLĪPSĪ KAI APOKATASTASĪElective Course belonging to the selected specialization (Elective Specialization Course)Winter-10

Class Information
Academic Year2025 – 2026
Class PeriodWinter
Faculty Instructors
Weekly Hours3
Total Hours39
Class ID
600288957
Course Type 2021
Specific Foundation
Course Type 2011-2015
Specific Foundation / Core
Mode of Delivery
  • Face to face
  • Distance learning
Digital Course Content
Language of Instruction
  • Greek (Instruction, Examination)
Prerequisites
General Prerequisites
The purpose of the "Ergonomics of Physical Workload" course is to study the interaction between people and other elements of a system in workplaces and during daily and sports activities. Ergonomics aim to optimize human performance, with the necessary comfort and safety, as well as to limit the negative consequences workers/athletes could get exposed to (discomfort, strain, injuries).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have acquired the basic knowledge of the applications of ergonomics, in the optimization of human performance in the workplace and during exercise. They will also get informed about the arrangement of the environment, the movement economy and keeping people safe during work and exercise/sports (reduction of stress and injuries). In addition, the learning outcome of the "Ergonomics of Physical Workload" course includes specific knowledge of the construction-adaptation of tools, machines, workstations, sports equipment, clothing and footwear, designed according to the requirements and human needs. Finally, students will be able to analyze the correct execution in terms about the techniques of the postures and movements of the human body, based on the principles of ergonomics, contributing to maximizing the performance of athletes, minimizing fatigue and discomfort, and making the movements be more economical in terms of energy consumption.
General Competences
  • Apply knowledge in practice
  • Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
  • Adapt to new situations
  • Make decisions
  • Work autonomously
  • Work in an international context
  • Work in an interdisciplinary team
  • Generate new research ideas
  • Demonstrate social, professional and ethical commitment and sensitivity to gender issues
  • Be critical and self-critical
  • Advance free, creative and causative thinking
Course Content (Syllabus)
1. Scientific areas of ergonomics of physical workload. 2. Introduction to ergonomics of physical workload. 3. Ergonomics at school. 4. Measurement and assessment of professional ability. 5. Ergonomics and quality of life. 6. Prevention of upper extremities overuse syndromes. 7. Basic principles of hygiene and safety. 8. Common musculoskeletal disorders and living environment. 9. Recording injuries in the workplace and sports. 10. Applied ergonomics in work, health and exercise. 11. Biomechanics of physical workload for the prevention and rehabilitation of various diseases and injuries. 12. Laboratory measurements of muscle fatigue using electromyography. 13. Presentations of scientific articles and projects by students.
Keywords
Ergonomics, Workload, Fatique, Loading, Job-Workplace, Exercise-Sports, Safety, Injury prevention
Educational Material Types
  • Slide presentations
  • Scientific articles
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
  • Use of ICT in Course Teaching
  • Use of ICT in Communication with Students
  • Use of ICT in Student Assessment
Course Organization
ActivitiesWorkloadECTSIndividualTeamworkErasmus
Lectures39
Laboratory Work20
Reading Assigment41
Project20
Written assigments80
Exams50
Total250
Student Assessment
Description
1. Participation in the courses (10%) 2. Presentation of an optional article from the bibliography (20%) 3. Written review study related to the course (30%) 4. Final written examination (40%)
Student Assessment methods
  • Written Exam with Multiple Choice Questions (Formative, Summative)
  • Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Formative, Summative)
  • Written Assignment (Formative)
  • Performance / Staging (Formative)
  • Report (Formative)
  • Participation in the courses (Formative)
Bibliography
Additional bibliography for study
Arnet U, Van Drongelen S, Veeger DH, Van der Woude LH. (2013). Force application during handcycling and handrim wheelchair propulsion: An initial comparison. J Appl Biomech, 29(6), 687–695. Atkins R. (2019). Work measurement and ergonomics. USA. Axén, I., & Follin, G. (2017). Medical yoga in the workplace setting-perceived stress and work ability-a feasibility study. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 30, 61–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2016.12.001. Bahat H. S., German D., Palomo G., Gold H., Nir Y. F. (2020). Self-kinematic training for flight-associated neck pain: A randomized controlled trial. Aerosp. Med. Hum. Perform. 91, 790–797. doi:10.3357/AMHP.5546.2020. Bhardwaj, P., Pathania, M., Bahurupi, Y., Kanchibhotla, D., Harsora, P., & Rathaur, V. K. (2023). Efficacy of mHealth aided 12-week meditation and breath intervention on change in burnout and professional quality of life among health care providers of a tertiary care hospital in north India: a randomized waitlist-controlled trial. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1258330. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1258330. Bravo G., Bragança S., Arezes P.M., Molenbroek J.M., Castellucci H.I. (2018). A literature review of anthropometric studies of school students for ergonomics purposes: Are accuracy, precision and reliability being considered. Work, 60(1), 3-17. Carayon P. (2017). Handbook of human factors and ergonomics in health care and patient safety. CRC Press (eds.). Catanzarite T., Tan-Kim J., Whitcomb E.L., Menefee S. (2018). Ergonomics in surgery: A review. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg, 24(1):1-12. Cruz-Flores, F., Sánchez-Brito, A. L., Campos Amezcua, R., Barrera Sánchez, A., Azcaray Rivera, H. R., Martínez Mata, A. J., & Blanco Ortega, A. (2025). A review of assistive devices in synovial joints: Records, trends, and classifications. Technologies, 13(7), Article 292. https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13070292 Das, A., Shah, S., Adhikari, T. B., Paudel, B. S., Sah, S. K., Das, R. K., Shah, C. P., & Adhikari, P. G. (2022). Computer vision syndrome, musculoskeletal, and stress-related problems among visual display terminal users in Nepal. PloS one, 17(7), e0268356. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268356 Goonetilleke, R., & Karwowski, W. (Eds.). (2016). Advances in physical ergonomics and human factors: Proceedings of the AHFE 2016 International Conference on Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors, July 27–31, 2016, Walt Disney World®, Florida, USA. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41694-6 Goonetilleke R. (2017). The science of footwear. CRC Press. Halson S.L. (2014). Monitoring training load to understand fatigue in athletes. Sports Med, 44(2), 139-147. Hannigan, J. J., & Pollard, C. D. (2020). Differences in running biomechanics between a maximal, traditional, and minimal running shoe. Journal of science and medicine in sport, 23(1), 15–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2019.08.008 Helander, M. (2006). A guide to human factors and ergonomics (2nd ed.). CRC Press. Hettinga F.J., Valent L., Groen W., Van Drongelen S., De Groot S., Van der Woude L.H. (2010). Hand -cycling: an active form of wheeled mobility, recreation, and sports. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am, 21(1), 127-140. Hilcove, K., Marceau, C., Thekdi, P., Larkey, L., Brewer, M. A., & Jones, K. (2021). Holistic Nursing in Practice: Mindfulness-Based Yoga as an Intervention to Manage Stress and Burnout. Journal of Holistic Nursing : Official Journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association, 39(1), 29–42. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010120921587. Hulme A., Thompson J., Plant K.L., Read G.M., Mclean S., Clacy A., Salmon P.M. (2019). Applying systems ergonomics methods in sport: A systematic review. Appl Ergon, 80, 214-225. Kilbom A. (1998). Intervention programs for work-related neck and upper limb disorders: Strategies and evaluation. Ergonomics, 38, 922-927. Kurtul, S., & Mazican, N. (2023). Prevalence and risk factors for self-reported symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome among hospital office workers: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics : JOSE, 29(2), 461–465. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2022.2054580. Jones C.M., Griffiths P.C., Mellalieu S.D. (2017). Training load and fatigue marker Associations with injury and illness: A systematic review of longitudinal studies. Sports Med, 47(5), 943-974. Kroemer A., Kroemer K. (2016). Office ergonomics: Easy and efficiency at work. CRC Press (eds.). Liem, A. (2017). Prospective ergonomics (Vol. 4, Human–machine interaction series; J. Dinet, Ed.). ISTE Ltd; Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119513908 Lim, M. C., Awang Lukman, K., Giloi, N., Lim, J. F., Salleh, H., Radzran, A. S., Jeffree, M. S., & Syed Abdul Rahim, S. S. (2021). Landscaping Work: Work-related Musculoskeletal Problems and Ergonomic Risk Factors. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 14, 3411–3421. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S314843. Malisoux, L., Delattre, N., Urhausen, A., & Theisen, D. (2020). Shoe Cushioning Influences the Running Injury Risk According to Body Mass: A Randomized Controlled Trial Involving 848 Recreational Runners. The American journal of sports medicine, 48(2), 473–480. Malisoux, L., Chambon, N., Delattre, N., Gueguen, N., Urhausen, A., & Theisen, D. (2016). Injury risk in runners using standard or motion control shoes: a randomised controlled trial with participant and assessor blinding. British journal of sports medicine, 50(8), 481–487. Mason BS, Van der Woude LH, Goosey-Tolfrey VL. (2013). The ergonomics of wheelchair configuration for optimal performance in the wheelchair court sports. Sports Med, 43, 23–38. McCauley-Bush P. (2012). Ergonomics: Foundational principles, applications and technologies. CRC Press (eds.). Menard MR, Mcbride ME, Sanderson DJ, Murray DD. (1992). Comparative biomechanical analysis of energy-storing prosthetic feet. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 73, 451–458. Nadadur G., Parkinson M.B. (2013). The role of anthropometry in designing for sustainability. Ergonomics, 56(3), 422-439. Navarro-Lozano, F., Kiper, P., Carmona-Pérez, C., Rutkowski, S., Pinero-Pinto, E., Luque-Moreno, C. (2022), Effects of Non-Immersive Virtual Reality and Video Games on Walking Speed in Parkinson Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(22), 6610. doi: https:// doi.org/10.3390/jcm11226610. Pascual S., Naqvi S. (2008). An investigation of ergonomics analysis tools used in industry in the identification of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 14(2), 237-245 Pheasant S., Haslegrave C. (2005). Bodyspace: Anthopometry, ergonomics and the design of work. Taylor & Francis (eds.). Pullia, M., Ciatto, L., Andronaco, G., Donato, C., Aliotta, R. E., Quartarone, A., De Cola, M. C., Bonanno, M., Calabrò, R. S., & Cellini, R. (2023). Treadmill Training Plus Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality in Parkinson’s Disease: Results from a Pilot Study. Brain Sci., 13, 1312. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ brainsci13091312. Ray, G. G., Iqbal, R., Ganguli, A. K., & Khanzode, V. (Eds.). (2016). Ergonomics in caring for people: Proceedings of the International Conference on Humanizing Work and Work Environment 2015. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0234-8 Reilly, T. (2010). Ergonomics in sport and physical activity: Enhancing performance and improving safety. Human Kinetics.Robson-Ansley P.J., Gleeson M., Ansley L. (2009). Fatigue management in the preparation of Olympic athletes. J Sports Sci, 27:1409–1420. Rogers N., Ward J., Brown R., Wright D. (1996). Ergonomic data of elderly people and their application in rehabilitation design. Disabil Rehabil, 18(10), 487-496. Salmon P.M., Macquet A.C. (2019). Human factors and ergonomics in sport and outdoor recreation: From individuals and their equipment to complex sociotechnical systems and their frailties. Appl Ergon, 80, 209-213. Salvendy, G. (Ed.). (2012). Handbook of human factors and ergonomics (4th ed.). Wiley. Sanaeinasab H., Saffari M., Valipour F., Alipour H.R., Sepandi M., Al Zaben F., Koenig H.G. (2018). The effectiveness of a model-based health education intervention to improve ergonomic posture in office computer workers : a randomized controlled trial. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-018-1336. Sohrabi M.S., Sohrabi B. (2021). Effectiveness of an ergonomics training program on musculoskeletal disorders, job stress, quality of work- life an productivity in office workers : a quasi – randomized control trial study. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2021.1918930. Stack T., Ostrom L., Wilhelmsen C. (2016). Occupational ergonomics: A practical approach. Wiley (eds.). Stammers R., Shepherd, A. (1995). Task analysis: Evaluation of human work. Wilson & Corlett (eds.). Thorp A.A., Kingwell B.A., Owen N., Dunstan D.W. (2014). Breaking up workplace sitting time with intermittent standing bouts improves fatigue and musculoskeletal discomfort in overweight/ obese office workers. Occup Environ Med 2014 .0:1–7. doi:10.1136/oemed-2014-102348. Tillman B., Tillman P., Rose R., Woodson W. (2016). Human Factors and Ergonomics Design Handbook. McGraw Hill (eds.). Vu K-P., Proctor R. (2011). Handbook of human factors in web design. CRC Press (eds.). Wang, I. L., Graham, R. B., Bourdon, E. J. P., Chen, Y. M., Gu, C. Y., & Wang, L. I. (2020). Biomechanical Analysis of Running Foot Strike in Shoes of Different Mass. Journal of sports science & medicine, 19(1), 130–137. Wang, W. Wong, S.S.-l., Lai, F.H.-y. (2021), The Effect of Virtual Reality Rehabilitation on Balance in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Electronics, 10, 1003. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10091003. Zhang, Y., Hu, Z., Huo, B., Liu, Y., & Zhao, X. (2023). Assessment of oculomotor function after prolonged computer use. Heliyon, 9(9), e19255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19255.
Last Update
17-10-2025