Application of nonlinear models to studies in the ergonomics area

Abstract

<p>This paper presents nonlinear models applied to studies in the ergonomics area. In general, these models evaluate the nature of the relationship between a group ofIndependent Variables (IVs) and one Dependent Variable (DV). In this study the interestis on the effect of the variables thermal perception (Pt); noise perception (Pn); age (A);time of service (Ts) on the working ability. The sample was constituted of 60 publicbus drivers. The Chi-Square test was used to verify the signifi cance between the fi nalmodels and the intercept, thus analyzing the relationship between the dependent andindependent variables. The Wald&rsquo;s test was applied in order to evaluate the consistencyof the parameter estimates of the IVs. A logistic regression model was built includingthe variables Pt , Pn and A as the IVs. Since A has a greater infl uence on the workingability of the driver, another logistic regression model was constructed consideringjust this variable as the IV. It was concluded that when the bus driver&rsquo;s age increases by one unit, there is a 23.5% chance of his work ability to fall in the range of poor to moderate.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>