engleski

Separated and coupled effects of illumination, accumulated noise and task complexity on cognitive-motor performance dynamics

BACKGROUND: Inconsistent findings on coupled illumination, accumulated noise and task complexity effects on cognitive-motor performance asked for a more comprehensive analysis by focusing on performance dynamics. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the effects of illumination, accumulated noise, and task complexity on several average and non-average temporal indicators. METHODS: The research was designed as a mixed factorial quasi-experiment including 83 students of transport (n = 42) and psychology (n = 41) at the University of Zagreb. Participants were assigned to designated experimental conditions defined by illumination (40, 280, 3400 lx), and accumulated noise (0% and 50% of the daily exposure limit) levels and all performed 2- and 8-choice reaction time tests. RESULTS: The findings showed negative effects of accumulated noise and task complexity on all performance indicators, while the effect of illumination reached significance only for maximal speed. Significant Illumination x Task complexity and Illumination x Accumulated noise effects were obtained for average efficiency, while significant Accumulated noise x Task complexity effect was observed for average efficiency and maximal speed. CONCLUSIONS: Various indicators of performance dynamics were diversely affected by external factors, thereby suggesting the effects' mechanisms, and accentuating different guidelines for design of workplaces that include these environmental stressors.

accumulated noise ; illumination ; task complexity ; cognitive-motor performance ; dynamic indicators

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