THE CONTRIBUTION OF PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS TO THE PERFORMANCE OF MODERATELY HEAVY PHYSICAL WORK

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Abstract
A study was carried out to determine whether physical working capacity and mechanical efficiency at the task are important determinants of the level at which an individual performs a moderately heavy physical task under normal working conditions underground. The method allowed a number of important preliminary points about the underground task to be established. These were (a) There were significant differences between men's performances at the task. (b) In general, men maintained their rank order of performance at the task over a period of 5 months. (c) Local variations in the physical features of the underground work situation had a negligible effect upon the differences in men's performances at the task. The results of the study showed that neither of the two physiological factors examined was of any importance in determining a man's level of performance at the task, with the proviso that all men performing the task should have sufficiently high physical working capacities to enable them to perform it at an acceptable level. The conclusion is drawn that level of performance at the task is determined mainly by psychological factors, primarily the motivation of the individual or of the working group.