ORIGINAL PAPER
Acute effect of precise manual tasks on physiological tremor of both upper limbs in young and elderly people
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1
Central Institute For Labour Protection – National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB), Warsaw, Poland
(Department of Ergonomics)
2
Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland
(Faculty of Physical Education)
Online publication date: 2026-02-06
Corresponding author
Joanna Mazur-Różycka
Central Institute For Labour Protection – National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB), Department of Ergonomics,
Czerniakowska
16, 00-701Warsaw, Poland
HIGHLIGHTS
- The measurement of both upper limbs can improve the efficiency of fatigue assessment.
- Age did not significantly affect the parameters of physiological tremor.
- The waveforms of the power spectral density functions for both genders are characterized by similar shape.
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess physiological tremor as a result of fatigue related to manual activities, taking into account age,
gender and upper limb (dominant and non-dominant). Material and Methods: The study included participants from 2 age groups, 25–35 years and
55–65 years. Work fatigue was induced during a 3-hour (180 min) 2-handed upper limb control task which consisted of 3 stages. The first stage lasted
30 min, the second stage – 60 min (90 min from the beginning of the effort) and the third stage – 90 min (180 min from the beginning of the effort).
Measurements of physiological tremor were performed before exercise and at 30 min, 90 min and 180 min of exercise duration. An acceleration measurement
set-up for both upper limbs was used to collect tremor time courses. The power spectral density functions of the tremor signals were analyzed. Results: Amplitude indicators from the frequency range 1–5 Hz and 8–14 Hz were extracted for analysis. The age of the subjects did not significantly
affect the parameters of physiological tremor. Amplitude indicators from lower (1–5 Hz) and higher (8–14 Hz) frequencies take lower average
values for women. For both indicators, a significant difference was observed in the subsequent measurements. The mean values of both indicators for
the non-dominant limb were significantly higher. Conclusions: Physiological tremor measurement carried out simultaneously for both upper limbs
to analyze muscle fatigue during repetitive work can improve the efficiency of assessing the occurrence of fatigue on the job and increase the efficiency
of assessing adaptive capabilities. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2026;39(1)