Publication Details

An investigation of the relationships between induced "fatigue" and heart rate

Type: Paper

Author(s): Neil, Douglas E.; Johns, Themis R.

Pages: 26

Publisher: UNC Highway Safety Research Center

Url: https://trid.trb.org/view/112035

Publication Date: Jun-1973

Address: Chapel Hill, NC

Abstract: The study investigated the relationships existing between heartrate and a subjective rating of fatigue during a tracking task. Nine male subjects operated the controls of an automobile mock-up. The task consisted of tracking a multiple sine wave which was presented on a moving oscillograph chart. The steering wheel of the automobile mock-up controlled an oscillograph stylus which the subjects used to track the target. After a half-hour of tracking the subjects were given a five-minute break, after which they performed the tracking task for an additional half-hour period. Throughout the experiment, each subject's heartrate was monitored through electrodes. Each subject also completed three copies of the feeling tone checklist: one immediately before the first half-hour tracking period, one during the break period, and one immediately following the second half-hour tracking period. It was found that: (1) heartrate was not related to the subjective index of fatigue. (2) heartrate changed significantly between the tracking task and the break but not during the task itself. (3) subjects were subjectively more fatigued at the end of the experimental period than at the beginning. (4) the onset of subjective fatigue occurred within the first 30 minutes of the task and showed no further change after an additional 30 minutes of tracking.