Muscle fatigue for manual prototype modelling tasks based on multi-modal information

This study investigated muscle fatigue in manual prototype modelling, particularly hand-carved woodwork. Eight participants performed short-duration and long-duration carving tasks while multimodal fatigue data, including task operation volume, subjective ratings, and physiological parameters, were collected. Statistical analysis revealed significant fatigue, marked by decreased grip strength and increasing ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and pain (PRA), especially in the right hand and forearm. Surface electromyography (sEMG) of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) showed time-dependent fatigue accumulation, with greater early-phase fatigue in the 2-minute task, highlighting the impact of task duration.