Investigation of the Effects of Extravehicular Activity (Eva) Gloves on Performance

By: Nasa, National Aeronautics and Space Adm

The objective was to assess the effects of extravehicular activity (EVA) gloves at different pressures on human hand capabilities. A factorial experiment was performed in which three types of EVA gloves were tested at five pressure differentials. The independent variables tested in this experiment were gender, glove type, pressure differential, and glove make. Six subjects participated in an experiment where a number of dexterity measures, namely time to tie a rope, and the time to assemble a nut and bolt were recorded. Tactility was measured through a two point discrimination test. The results indicate that with EVA gloves strength is reduced by nearly 50 percent, there is a considerable reduction in dexterity, performance decrements increase with increasing pressure differential, and some interesting gender glove interactions were observed, some of which may have been due to the extent (or lack of) fit of the glove to the hand. The implications for the designer are discussed. Bishu, Ram R. and Klute, Glenn Johnson Space Center...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1729363350
• ISBN13: 9781729363355
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 54 Pages
• Weight: 0.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.0"