Fatigue assessment of sedentary office workers using smartphones: a preliminary study

Abstract

Objectives. Smartphone-based gait assessment provides a novel method to evaluate fatigue. This study aimed to examine self-reported fatigue and gait parameters recorded using a smartphone before and after an 8-h work day in bank workers, and identify the relationship between self-reported fatigue and gait parameters. Methods. One hundred bank workers (aged 20–45 years) were tested before and after an 8-h work day using a reaction time test, self-reported fatigue scale and gait test. Spearman correlation coefficient analysis and partial least squares regression were used to identify the relationship between self-reported fatigue and gait parameters. Results. Reaction time and self-reported fatigue increased significantly after work. Gait parameters (step frequency, minimum acceleration, acceleration root mean square, step regularity and step counts) decreased; step time and step time variability increased significantly (p < 0.05). We found a significant correlation between changes (Δ) for Δwork engagement and Δstep frequency (r = −0.20, p < 0.05), Δwork engagement and Δstep time (r = 0.21, p < 0.05), and Δwork tasks and Δstep symmetry (r = −0.20, p < 0.05). Conclusion. This study suggests that step frequency, step time and step symmetry measured using a smartphone have the potential to be used as predictors of work fatigue.

KEYWORDS:

• fatigue
• fatigue assessment
• gait
• occupational health
• smartphone

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all of the participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [72101100]; Philosophy and Social Science Projects in Universities of Jiangsu Province [2020SJA0861]; Wuxi Science and Technology Association Key Project [KX-21-C026].