Biomedical subjects

D U Mamansari

Publications and source records attributed to D U Mamansari.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

Static strength and physical work capacity of agricultural labourers in the central plain of Thailand.

An investigation was conducted to determine the static strength and physical work capacity of Thai agricultural labourers. Ten male and 10 female subjects, were randomly selected from the two provinces of the central plain of Thailand. The anthropometry of these labourers was determined by taking 42 body dimensions. During the static strength evaluation, back, arm, leg, shoulder, composite and hand grip strengths were measured. The physical work capacity was determined by using a bicycle ergometer. The oxygen consumption was determined by oxylog. It was observed that the composite strength was highest while grip strength was lowest for both male and female subjects. However, static strength of different body parts for all males was higher than that of similar body parts for females. Comparison of data obtained in this study was made with the data for subjects in other countries. The physical work capacity of female agricultural labourers participating in this study was found to be 69% that of male labourers.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

The need for ergonomics considerations for the design and development of agricultural machinery in Thailand.

Agriculture plays an important role in developing countries which are mainly located in tropical regions. Agriculture is an industry with tremendous opportunities for the application of ergonomics principles. Working conditions are extremely difficult due to severe environmental conditions, long working hours, strenuous work and the use of mobile equipment. The ignorance of the majority of ergonomics principles in the design of agricultural equipment make the conditions more difficult. Thailand is one of the important suppliers of agricultural products in the world. Mechanization has expanded tremendously during the last 10 years and the number of agricultural machinery has rapidly increased. This paper looks at ergonomics principles which must be considered in the design and development of agricultural machines and equipment used in Thailand. It was identified that the common farming system in Thailand is rice-based cultivation, mostly in swampy conditions with heavy clay soil. It was also found that the most energy-consuming task in agriculture was primary cultivation. The most widely used machine is a power tiller which is suitable for the farm sizes available and can be operated easily. Most of the power tillers and other equipment were found to be locally made, with less than 5% imported. Unfortunately, there was no standardization in power tiller manufacturing which led to increasing farmers' strain. There is still a need to collect more ergonomics data of Thai farmers such as anthropometry, strength and physical work capacity for the design and development of agricultural machines and equipment used in Thailand. Different ergonomic consideration for the design and development of agricultural machinery have been suggested.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1995

Physical workload during selected farm operations.

An investigation was conducted to determine the physical workload on agricultural workers during selected farm operations in paddy fields in Thailand. Four male and four female agricultural workers were randomly selected. Four common farm operations, i.e. ploughing, planting, weeding and harvesting, were selected. The physical responses in terms of heart rate, oxygen consumption and pulmonary ventilation were determined as a function of physical work capacity on a laboratory bicycle ergometer. During different field operations, heart rate, oxygen consumption and pulmonary ventilation were recorded and energy expenditure, oxygen pulse and relative cost were estimated. The postural discomfort was also assessed during different farm operations. It was observed that the physical workload for ploughing, planting, wedding and harvesting operations, expressed in percent of physical work capacity, was 44, 41, 33 and 44%, respectively. Ploughing was found to be the heaviest work and other operations were moderate. Postural discomfort was higher for ploughing than for other operations.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Anthropometric evaluation of agricultural laborers in selected parts of Thailand.

For the design of farm machinery, body dimension data is essential. There are little such anthropometric data available on agricultural laborers from developing countries. This research, therefore, aimed to collect anthropometric data of agricultural laborers in selected parts of Thailand. Forty-four physical dimensions of both 50 men and 50 women agricultural laborers were measured. These laborers were selected randomly from two provinces in the central plains of Thailand. The average body dimensions, standard deviation and 5th, 10th, 50th, 90th, and 95th percentiles were determined. No significant difference was observed in most of the body dimensions of men and women laborers in different age groups used in this study. Body dimensions of length were in constant proportion to stature. The body dimensions of Thai laborers obtained in this study were also compared with the data of body dimensions from some Asian as well as Western countries.

Adult↗