Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

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Introduction: While great efforts have been made to determine the quality of life in hospital staffs, few studies have been conducted to identify the effective factors on the quality of life of these employees. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between workload and quality of life in hospital personnel.

Material and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 200 staffs were selected randomly from two large hospitals of Tehran University of medical sciences (Imam Khomeini and Shariati hospitals). The data collecting tools were three questionnaires including demographic characteristics, quality of life (SF-36), and NASA-TLX workload. SPSS software (version 18.0) was used to analyze the data by descriptive statistics, and Pearson and Spearman correlation tests.

Results: Based on the findings of the study, the mean total scores of the quality of life and the workload were 50±18 and 69.7±13.9, respectively. The results revealed significant reduction in all dimensions of quality of life in nurses compared with laboratory and operating room staffs. Meanwhile the nurses’ workload scores were higher than the two aforementioned groups (p = 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant inverse relationship between workload and quality of life in hospital staffs (P=0.004, r = -.306).

Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the role of managers and supervisors in the implementation of efficient interventions for improving the quality of life and workload. Therefore, further researches are required to identify other factors that affect the quality of life and workload in hospital staffs. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE FA

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Background: The purpose of present study was to evaluate the effects of six- week aerobic step training on cardiovascular fitness, body composition, flexibility, leg anaerobic power and quality of life of isfahan university female students in academic year 2012-2011. Methods: 31 female students of Isfahan university were randomly assigned in experimental group (N=16, mean Age 27±2 , Weight 58.34 ±6.27, Height 1.61±4) and control group (N=15, mean Age25 ±1 , Weight 54.7±7.32, Height 1.61±6).pre test and post test measurements included cardiovascular fitness, body composition, flexibility, leg anaerobic power and quality of life questionnaire(WHOQOL(. analysis of covariance( ANCOVA) was used to test to effects of aerobic training as intervention(P<0.05). Results: There was a significant increase in cardiovascular fitness (p=0.001) and there was a significant decrease in body composition (p=0.046). There was no significant increase in flexibility (p=0.109) and leg anaerobic power (p=0.180). there was a significant increase in total score of quality of life(p=0.00). Conclusion: a six- week aerobic step training improves quality of life and cardiovascular fitness and body composition of training group

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Introduction: In many sensitive and sophisticated workplaces, human errors are very important. Many events occur annually around the world is evidence to confirm error due to the data processing operators. The main goal of this study was to investigate human information processing models and workload demands on human operators, then developing a regression model for this purpose.

Material and Methods: This was a case study. Task analysis of control room members, including shift supervisor, board man, and site man and user instrumentation in this study was investigated. Data collection was performed by interviewing employees using a questionnaire with two parts the first part was the model of human information processing and the second part was workload NASA–TLX and an appendix of opinions existing staffing level and finally task analysis performed using SPSS 16 – SPSS.

Results: There was a correlation between workload and stages of human information processing model such as perception )r=0.65, p<0.01), vocal response (r=0.45, p<0.01) and manual response (r=0.15, p<0.05). Some effective factors on workload were vocal response (β=0.232, p=0.033) and perception (β=0.576, p=0.00). The most important factors in the analysis of anticipation staffing demand were perception (β=2.514, p=0.008), workload (β=1.57, p=0.018) and vocal responses (β=2.428, p=0.01), respectively.

Discussion and Conclusion: Increasing concentration and attention and perception skills using psychological measures including decreasing the workload and stress and holding specialized training courses are necessary.

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Introduction: Physical activity has been identified as a potential intervention to improve body composition in women with breast cancer. This research sought to investigate the effects of an eight-week aerobic training program on some anthropometric indices and cardiorespiratory fitness of middle-aged women with breast cancer.

Material and Methods: A total of 15 women with breast cancer (age: 40-60 years) were selected through convenience sampling. They attended an eight-week aerobic exercise program consisting of three 40-60-minute sessions per week. Exercise intensity was maintained at 30%-60% the subjects’ heart rate reserve (HRR). The participants’ weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio (WHR), body fat percentage (BFP), and maximum oxygen consumption were measured at baseline and after eight weeks of exercise. Data were analyzed by paired samples t-tests at a significance level of 0.05.

Results: Significant reductions in the patients’ weight (P = 0.001), BMI (P = 0.001), WC (P = 0.006), HC (P = 0.001), WHR (P = 0.006), and PBF (P = 0.001) were observed after eight weeks of aerobic training. Moreover, exercise significantly increased the subjects’ maximum oxygen consumption (P = 0.008). However, changes in the participants’ waist to hip ratio were not significant (P = 0.235).

Conclusion: According to the obtained results, an eight-week aerobic training program could significantly improve some anthropometric indices and cardiorespiratory fitness in women with breast cancer.

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