title: Ergonomics assessment of composite ballistic inserts for bullet- and fragment-proof vests.
abstract: Personal protective equipment worn by uniformed services (e.g., the police and the military) must ensure protection against bodily injuries. However, a high degree of protection is always associated with significant discomfort. This article presents the results of an assessment of the ergonomics parameters of new special purpose products, ballistic inserts with improved ballistic resistance, and an assessment of the impact of the burden related to their use on the psychomotor performance of the subjects. An obstacle course and subjective ergonomics assessment questionnaires were used in tests. Thermal discomfort was also assessed. Psychological testing included tests enabling an assessment of the subjects' cognitive and psychomotor performance, and a subjective assessment of mental load. The tests did not show any decrease in the comfort of use of the new inserts with improved ballistic resistance compared to the inserts currently used.
authors.affiliation: Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB), Poland. kamaj@ciop.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Majchrzycka
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brochocka
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luczak
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lężak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D013697:Thermosensing; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000517:prevention & control