Improving ergonomic performance of work pants for delivery personnel based on skin deformation measurement

Abstract

Clothing plays a significant role in affecting the performance, comfort, and mobility of human body. However, no study explored the clothing for delivery personnel with improved ergonomic performance. The purpose of this study was to develop a pair of novel work pants to increase the mobility and comfort of delivery personnel. Skin deformation rates of eight university students were measured using surface-painting-line method under various typical activities simulating those of the delivery personnel. Then, based on the results, a pair of novel pants was developed. After that, 25 male students were recruited to compare the ergonomic performances between the novel work pants and traditional pants using both objective and subjective methods. It is discovered that the largest skin deformation rate was at the centerline in the upper (49.3%) and lower knee regions (52.3%) under riding activity. Novel work pants were then developed by creating folded structures in the regions based on the deformation rates, which could be stretched and shortened following human movement. Human tests revealed that the novel pants could significantly increase the range of motion of hip flexion and improve ease of move and comfort sensations in the knees and limbs as well as reducing pressure sensations in these regions. The novel work pants could effectively improve wearers’ mobility and comfort both in the limbs and was thus expected to reduce the limb fatigue and improve performance of the delivery personnel.