A psychophysical study of heaviness for box lifting and lowering

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to quantify Stevens' power function for the heaviness of boxes being lifted and lowered. This was determined for 91 firemen using a ratio rating method. For 90/91 subjects the equation was satisfactorily fitted to a power relationship despite considerable variation between individuals. The mean exponent for perceived heaviness was 1·35 and fractionation point 0·06 kg. It was concluded that doubling a weight being lifted resulted in a 2·6 increase in perceived weight.