Ergonomics of the built environment: Main methodologies used in Brazil and the most adequate ones to evaluate the interaction between the elderly and built environment

Abstract

Ergonomics is not only concerned with the relationship between man/object, but also with the relationship with the environment in which he carries out his tasks. The man, to carry out his activities, uses the built environment and the man/environment relationship is what interferes with human behavior. In addition, it is known that the aging of the population in most countries, including Brazil, is a growing phenomenon. It is also important to point that the built environment has explicit participation in the quality of life and well-being of the elderly. Thus, this article aims to determine which were the main methodologies used in ergonomics of the built environment (EBE) research in Brazil between 2013 and 2017, make a comparative analysis between them and then determine which of them might be appropriate when the human-environment interaction is related to the elderly user.