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PubMed2001

An assessment of food acceptance in children with autism or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified.

Some children with autism and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) have been reported to have atypical feeding behavior, such as sensitivity to food texture and selective preferences for particular foods. No systematic studies of feeding behavior in this population have been published. Munk and Repp (1994) developed methods for assessing feeding problems in individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities that allow categorization of individual feeding patterns based on responses to repeated presentations of food. In this study, we systematically replicated the Munk and Repp procedures with children with autism and PDD-NOS. Thirty children, ages 3 to 14 years, were exposed to 12 food items across 6 sessions. Food acceptance, food expulsion, and disruptive behavior were recorded on a trial-by-trial basis. Approximately half of the participants exhibited patterns of food acceptance, indicating selectivity by food category or food texture. Others consistently accepted or rejected items across food categories. Whether these patterns of food acceptance are atypical remains to be determined by comparison with the feeding patterns of typically developing children and other children with developmental delays.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

An approach for widening the bioequivalence acceptance limits in the case of highly variable drugs.

PURPOSE: Highly variable drugs pose a problem in bioequivalence assessment because they often fail to meet current regulatory acceptance criteria for average bioequivalence (80-125%). This paper examines alternative approaches to establishing bioequivalence. METHODS: Suggested solutions have included alternate study designs, e.g., replicate and multiple dose studies, reducing the level of the confidence interval, and widening the acceptance limits. We focus on the latter approach. RESULTS: A rationale is presented for defining wider acceptance limits for highly variable drugs. Two previously described methods are evaluated, and a new method having more desirable properties is proposed. CONCLUSIONS: We challenge the "one size fits all" current definition of bioequivalence acceptance limits for highly variable drugs, proposing alternative limits or "goal posts" which vary in accordance with the intrasubject variability of the reference product.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Precision, accuracy, and data acceptance criteria in biopharmaceutical analysis.

Accuracy and precision are the most important criteria in the assessment of an analytical method, and monitoring quality control during sample analysis is essential to ensure the validity of reported results. Various approaches to testing accuracy, precision, and quality control were applied to 10 analytes from seven chromatographic bioanalytical methods. These methods include fixed interval bias and significance testing for accuracy; fixed interval percentage relative standard deviation (%RSD) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) approaches for precision; +/- 20% fixed range, 99% confidence interval, multiple rules, and range chart for individuals approaches for quality control acceptance criteria. Quality control approaches were also applied to the entire run and to a bracketed approach whereby results are considered valid only if bracketed by acceptable quality control. Accuracy and precision were assessed for six runs of each analyte at three concentrations established to represent the calibration range of the analytical method. Quality control acceptance criteria were evaluated using all data sets from each of the analytical methods collected during the course of running various numbers of real samples. The data suggest that the fixed interval bias criteria for accuracy was a more liberal method of accuracy assessment because three of the seven methods would have been rejected according to the significance testing criteria whereas all were acceptable by the fixed internal bias criteria. Precision can be effectively assessed for between- and within-run data by criteria set on unconfounded %RSD values or by separation of the sources of variation using an ANOVA approach applied to confounded data.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Understanding sexual coercion among young adolescents: communicative clarity, pressure, and acceptance.

Young people's understanding of sexual coercion was studied. Boys and girls (N = 191) were asked to rate scenarios depicting sexual situations according to their perceptions of communicative clarity, the extent of pressure being applied to one partner, and the acceptability of the behaviors. Judgments of communicative clarity were given more readily when there was consent rather than dissent to sex. Clear communication was readily inferred even when there were no cues that this was the case. Boundaries of behaviors that were defined as constituting "pressure" were influenced by the outcome, that is whether sex did or did not occur, as well as the behavior itself. Ratings of acceptability closely followed those of pressure, although the relationships between perceptions of pressure and acceptability were stronger for girls than for boys. In general, there were few gender differences in perceptions of pressure and communicative clarity. Of concern was the finding that, for some respondents, pressure and acceptability were unrelated to the use of either physical or emotional force.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Probability of acceptable intubation conditions with low dose rocuronium during light sevoflurane anaesthesia in children.

BACKGROUND: To define the rocuronium doses which would provide 50%, 90%, and 95% probability of 'acceptable' intubation conditions during light sevoflurane anaesthesia, we studied 60 children aged 2-7 years in a prospective, randomised, assessor blinded study. METHODS: After mask ventilation with 1 MAC sevoflurane/N2O for 17+/-1 (x+/-SD) min we administered rocuronium (either 0.15, 0.22, 0.3, 0.5, or 1.0 mg. kg(-1)) or placebo, and quantified the evoked force of the adductor pollicis muscle. Intubation conditions were assessed before and 2 min after injection of the test drug. RESULTS: Intubation conditions were improved significantly with rocuronium and scored 'acceptable' in 70%, 90%, and 100% of the children after injection of rocuronium 0.15, 0.22, and 0.3 mg x kg(-1), respectively. In parallel, twitch tension decreased to 53% (6-100), 26% (11-100), and 11% (0-19) of baseline (median (range)). Recovery of train-of-four ratio to 0.8 was achieved 13 (7-19), 16 (8-28), and 27 (23-44) min after injection of the respective rocuronium doses. Higher rocuronium doses did not further improve intubation conditions but only prolonged time of neuromuscular recovery. Logistic regression analysis revealed that rocuronium 0.11 (CI 0.05-0.16), 0.21 (0.14-0.28), and 0.25 (0.15-0.34) mg x kg(-1) provides a 50%, 90%, and 95% probability of 'acceptable' intubation conditions in children during 1 MAC sevoflurane/N2O anaesthesia, respectively. Furthermore, we calculated that force depression of adductor pollicis muscle to 81% (CI 72-90), 58% (42-74), and 50% (29-71) of baseline is associated with 50%, 90%, and 95% probability of 'acceptable' intubation conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Submaximal depression of muscle force with low dose rocuronium improves intubation conditions in children during light sevoflurane anaesthesia while allowing rapid recovery of neuromuscular function. However, when using low dose rocuronium neuromuscular monitoring may be helpful to detect children with inadequate response to the relaxant so as to avoid an unsuccessful intubation attempt.

Androstanols↗
PubMed1994

Realistic acceptance as a predictor of decreased survival time in gay men with AIDS.

Although theoretical accounts of adaptation in the terminally ill suggest that realistic acceptance of one's disease is adaptive, some investigations suggest that such responses are associated with increased mortality. This prospective psychobiological investigation involved 74 gay men with AIDS. Six scores reflecting responses to disease were derived from a detailed psychosocial questionnaire. One pattern of response, Realistic Acceptance, was a significant predictor of decreased survival time. Median estimated survival time for participants with low Realistic Acceptance scores was 9 months greater than for participants with high Realistic Acceptance scores. This effect was not accounted for by time since diagnosis with AIDS, self-reported health status, number of CD4 T lymphocyte cells, psychological distress, age, education, initial diagnosing condition, use of AZT, smoking, or alcohol and drug use.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Influence of job characteristics on the acceptability of employee drug testing.

Measures of the acceptability of employee drug testing were obtained from a sample of college students (N = 371) and a second sample of nontraditional, older college students (N = 112) and were correlated with job-analysis data from the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ) and Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) databases, and with measures of perceived danger from impaired performance in each job. Both PAQ and DOT data accounted for variance in ratings of acceptability. Perceptions of danger were the best single predictor of acceptability and appeared to mediate the relationships between job characteristics and the acceptability of employee drug testing.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The error of accepting the "theoretical" null hypothesis: the rise, fall, and resurrection of commonsense hypotheses in psychology.

When psychologists test a commonsense (CS) hypothesis and obtain no support, they tend to erroneously conclude that the CS belief is wrong. In many such cases it appears, after many years, that the CS hypothesis was valid after all. It is argued that this error of accepting the "theoretical" null hypothesis reflects confusion between the operationalized hypothesis and the theory or generalization that it is designed to test. That is, on the basis of reliable null data one can accept the operationalized null hypothesis (e.g., "A measure of attitude x is not correlated with a measure of behavior y"). In contrast, one cannot generalize from the findings and accept the abstract or theoretical null (e.g., "We know that attitudes do not predict behavior"). The practice of accepting the theoretical null hypothesis hampers research and reduces the trust of the public in psychological research.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗
PubMed1998

Reducing ice cream energy density does not condition decreased acceptance or engender compensation following repeated exposure.

OBJECTIVES: The preferences for high-fat foods are believed to be based on their sensory attributes and energy density; however less is known about how such preferences might be weakened, other than in response to deterioration in flavor or textural quality. The aim of the present study was to see whether acceptability of reduced fat/energy foods would wane as the original post-ingestive nutritional benefits are reduced when palatability remains essentially constant. DESIGN: Repeated measures, within-subjects design conducted in two counterbalanced three week trials. SETTING/SUBJECTS: Sixteen normal-weight males (mean age 25.8 +/- 1.2 y) came to our laboratory at the Hôpital Hotel Dieu in Paris to eat an afternoon snack on 13 consecutive days (excluding weekends). INTERVENTION/OUTCOME MEASURES: Intake was recorded following repeated exposure to two flavors of standard (10% fat as a percentage of total solids weight), and low (3%) fat ice cream. One group received standard vanilla or low-fat strawberry ice cream on alternate days for two consecutive weeks; these flavor associations were reversed for a second group. The two flavors were rated as equipalatable at the beginning of the experiment at all energy levels. RESULTS: Subjects consumed the same quantity of ice cream throughout the experimental period, independent of energy density or flavor. Consequently, aggregate (summed) energy intake for subjects consuming low-fat ice cream was significantly lower (by 581 kJ (139 kcal), 15.4 g fat). Food intake records for the 24 h period immediately following the test sessions revealed no compensation for fat or energy. Despite the 28% reduction in energy density for the low-fat version, acceptance for the flavors associated with the reduced-energy versions had not declined by the end of the experimental period. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that acceptance of reduced-fat foods may not be critically dependent on the post-ingestive metabolic effects when the reductions in energy density are small. Further tests with more severe reductions, and perhaps over more prolonged time periods, will be necessary to determine at what level of substitution acceptance might begin to deteriorate.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Salty taste acceptance by infants and young children is related to birth weight: longitudinal analysis of infants within the normal birth weight range.

BACKGROUND: Birth weight and sodium intake are both associated with risk for hypertension. It is not known whether birth weight influences response to salty taste. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between birth weight and salty taste acceptance of infants and young children. DESIGN: Acceptance of salty taste was assessed at 2 (n = 80) and 6 (n = 76) months in infants (birth weight >2.5 kg) enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Acceptance was expressed as proportional intake following 1-min ingestion tests with water and salt solutions (0.17 and 0.34 mol/l NaCl, in water). Birth weight was obtained by maternal report. Questionnaires completed by mothers and food-ranking procedures performed by children evaluated salt liking and preference in a subset (n = 38) of subjects at preschool age (36 or 48 months). SETTING: Nonprofit basic research institute in Philadelphia, PA, USA. RESULTS: Regression analysis revealed significant negative associations between birth weight and acceptance of salty taste at 2 months (0.17 mol/l, P < 0.0001; 0.34 mol/l, P < 0.01) but not at 6 months. Relationships were not affected by adjustment for potential confounders. In preschoolers, greater liking of (P < 0.05) and preference for (P < 0.01) salty foods was associated with lower birth weight in simple, but not adjusted, models. CONCLUSION: Measures related to salty taste preference were inversely related to birth weight over the first 4 years of life. Additional studies should substantiate these findings and explore whether early response to salty taste predicts future sodium intake, blood pressure, or other public health-related outcomes. SPONSORSHIP: National Institutes of Health (DC 00882).

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1998

Helicobacter pylori: an assessment of public awareness and acceptance of screening.

Research studies involving population screening could be important in assessing short and long-term benefits of eradicating H. pylori. Compliance with screening is an important factor to be considered. Two population studies sought to assess public awareness of H. pylori, interest in screening for the bacterium, and the acceptability of two blood tests. One hundred adults were interviewed in a street survey in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Although only 4-14% of those interviewed had heard of H. pylori, 73% expressed an interest in screening. In the second study, a population sample of 50 men and women aged 21-55 years, from a general practice in the same town, were offered screening. This sample was divided into two matched groups of 25; one group was offered a test involving venepuncture and the other group was offered a 'near-patient' finger prick test. To confirm results, this exercise was subsequently repeated with a further two groups of 25 subjects. There was an overall acceptance rate of 41% for the actual offer of screening. Overall, 28/50 subjects (56%) accepted venepuncture, but only 13/50 (26%) accepted the finger prick test.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Paradoxical early immune activation during acceptance of liver allografts compared with rejection of skin grafts in a rat model of transplantation.

Liver allografts in many animal models are often spontaneously accepted across a complete histocompatibility barrier without requirement for immunosuppression. In contrast, skin allografts are usually rejected, even across minor histocompatibility barriers. To identify the mechanism of liver allograft acceptance we have compared skin rejection with liver acceptance in DA rat strain recipients of PVG donors, a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I plus II mismatch. In spite of the established role of draining lymph nodes (LN) in induction of rejection of skin allografts, there was much greater involvement of LN after liver than after skin transplantation. Few donor cells migrated to these organs from transplanted skin but many cells migrated from transplanted liver. There was also a paradoxical increase in interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) mRNA in LN and spleen of liver allograft recipients that greatly exceeded their expression in skin allograft recipients. For example, there were 2. 7+/-1.6x104 molecules of IFN-gamma per 106 molecules of beta-actin mRNA in the LN draining liver allografts 1 day after transplantation compared with 2.0+/-0.3x103 molecules/106 beta-actin in LN draining skin allografts and 8.1+/-1.8x102 molecules/106 beta-actin in LN draining skin isografts. Examination of the graft showed that infiltration and cytokine mRNA up-regulation occurred more slowly in the transplanted skin than in liver but progressed inexorably in skin grafts until rejection. These results show that liver acceptance is associated with a paradoxical marked early activation then subsequent decline of the immune response.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Acceptance of disability and sense of coherence in individuals with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a relatively rare, inherited connective tissue disorder and skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility, chronic joint and limb pain, blood vessel and tissue fragility are frequent symptoms. The aims of this study were to describe the degree to which individuals with EDS accept and cope with perceived limitations related to the syndrome, and to determine the relationships between acceptance of disability (AD), sense of coherence (SOC), functional health status and background data. Four questionnaires were mailed: the AD scale Modified (ADM), the SOC Scale, the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and a background form. The respondents with EDS were recruited through the EDS National Association in Sweden and the response rate was 74% (69 females and eight males). The Ethical Committee at Huddinge University Hospital (ref. no. 152/95) approved the study. This study has shown that the level of AD and SOC in individuals with EDS is similar to other patient groups, e.g. individuals with ostomy and with diabetes. Further, the SOC was in concordance with that of the general population. Those working full-time accepted their disability to a greater degree than those on sick leave or disability pension. A multiple regression analysis showed that a greater AD was associated with a higher level of SOC and a better functional health status. The SOC and SIP together accounted for 50% of the variance in the ADM. For health promotion in nursing practice it is important to have insight into the problem areas which may influence the overall life situation for an individual with EDS. A key issue for nurses is to identify individuals with low acceptance of their disease and/or low SOC in order to support these persons' adaptation process. Future research on EDS may be directed towards projects focusing on the development and implementation of models to strengthen the level of AD and SOC in this group.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2002

Safety, tolerability and acceptability of two dry powder inhalers in the administration of budesonide in steroid-treated asthmatic patients.

The purpose of this randomized, double-blind parallel group study was to compare the safety, tolerability and acceptability of Easyhaler and Turbuhaler dry powder inhalers for the delivery of budesonide 800 microg day(-1) in adult asthmatic patients who had already been treated with inhaled corticosteroids for at least 6 months prior to the study Additionally the efficacy of the products was evaluated. The main objective was to evaluate the systemic safety of budesonide inhaled from Easyhaler (Giona Easyhaler, Orion Pharma, Finland) as determined by serum and urine cortisol measurements. The secondary objective was to compare the tolerability acceptability and efficacy of the two devices in the administration of budesonide. After a 2-week run-in period (baseline), patients were randomized on a 2:1 basis to receive budesonide from Easyhaler (n = 103) or from Turbuhaler (Pulmicort Turbuhaler, AstraZeneca, Sweden) (n = 58) 200 g dose(-1), two inhalations twice daily for 12 weeks. There was no statistically significant change in morning serum cortisol values from baseline to the end of treatment in either group. Urine free cortisol and urine cortisol/ creatinine ratio increased from baseline in both groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of morning serum cortisol, urine cortisol, adverse events or efficacy variables, but Easyhaler was generally considered more acceptable to the patients. In conclusion, at 800 microg day(-1), Giona Easyhaler is as safe and efficacious as Pulmicort Turbuhaler in adult asthmatic patients previously treated with corticosteroids, but more acceptable to patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Clinical relevance of bioequivalence acceptance criteria. The example of terbinafine.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating which acceptance criteria for bioequivalence are relevant for orally applied antimycotics using terbinafine (CAS 78628-80-5) as an example. METHODS: A bioequivalence trial was performed in 18 healthy male volunteers with the aim of comparing a new generic product (tablets containing terbinafine hydrochloride, equivalent to 250 mg base) with the originator product. The trial was performed according to an open, cross-over design in one study centre. In each of the two study periods (separated by a wash-out of 14 days) a single dose of one 250 mg tablet (test or reference) was administered. Blood samples were taken up to 72 h post dose, the plasma was separated and the concentrations of terbinafine were determined by a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method with a quantification limit of 14 ng/ml. AUC0-infinity, AUC0-tlast, Cmax and tmax were calculated for both formulations and compared according to the currently valid CPMP Note for Guidance for the evaluation of Bioavailability and Bioequivalence. RESULTS: The parametric 90% confidence intervals for the primary target parameters were between 0.89 and 1.09 AUC0-tlast and between 0.71 and 0.95 for Cmax. The acceptance ranges prospectively defined in the protocol for this trial were fulfilled. In the light of the currently valid CPMP Note for Guidance, the question still arose whether the overall positive bioequivalence statement was clinically feasible. Taking into account the mechanism of action and the available efficacy and safety data on terbinafine, this question was answered positively. CONCLUSION: In the case of oral antimycotic agents and especially terbinafine, the bioequivalence acceptance range for Cmax can be expanded to 0.7-1.43, if the acceptance criteria for AUC are fulfilled.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Tolerance, effectiveness, and acceptability of sulfate-free electrolyte lavage solution for colon cleaning before colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The unpleasant taste of the solution used for preparation before colonoscopy may limit patients' compliance with the procedure. However, the published results concerning the acceptability of sulfate-free electrolyte lavage solution (SF-ELS) for colon cleansing before colonoscopy are conflicting. The aim of this study was to compare SF-ELS with the standard polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution with regard to tolerance, effectiveness, and acceptability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the first part of the study, 24 patients were assigned to receive either one liter of SF-ELS or one liter of the standard PEG solution. After two hours, the patients had to choose two further liters (of either the first or second solution), and preparation for colonoscopy was completed. In the second part, fifty further patients were randomized into two groups: 25 patients received four liters of standard solution, and 25 patients received four liters of SF-ELS. The patients' opinions regarding the preparation and their willingness to repeat the use of the same preparation were recorded by questionnaire. The quality of the colon preparation was assessed by the endoscopists. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (71%; P < 0.05) preferred SF-ELS. The compliance rate in the two groups was 96%, and the frequency of occurrence of adverse effects was also similar. Colonoscopy was completed in 24 of the 25 patients in the SF-ELS group and 22 of the 25 patients in the standard PEG group (the difference was not significant). Visualization of the mucosa in the areas explored was perfect in 20 of the 25 patients in the SF-ELS group and in 17 of the 25 patients in the PEG group (not significant). Patients had a significant preference for SF-ELS. Eighteen of the 25 patients in the SF-ELS group were willing to accept the same preparation for a further colonoscopy, compared with 11 of the 25 in the other group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Improving the acceptability of colonic preparation before colonoscopy could improve patients' compliance and the quality of the follow-up. The results of this study justify further investigation of SF-ELS.

Colonoscopy↗
PubMed2003

Obstetric technologies: what determines clinical acceptance or rejection of results of randomized controlled trials?

OBJECTIVE: The acceptance or rejection of obstetric technologies in clinical practice is not always based on the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In this study, possible reasons for this discordance are examined. STUDY DESIGN: Eleven technologies introduced over the past 30 years were examined. RCT results were determined from the published literature, with emphasis on meta-analyses and the Cochrane reviews. Results were graded for quality of evidence (I-III) and strength of recommendations (A-E) on the basis of criteria adopted by the United States Preventive Services Task Force. Clinical use was based on data from the literature, or when this was lacking, on an estimate, and graded + to +++ or - to - - -, based on degree of acceptance or rejection. RESULTS: There was concordance of results with midtrimester ultrasound (US) imaging, home uterine activity monitoring (HUAM), Doppler velocimetry in high-risk pregnancy, short-term tocolysis, single-course antenatal corticosteroids (BMZ), thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH), and fetal fibronectin (fFN). There was discordance of results with fetal heart rate monitoring (FHRM), fetal blood sampling (FBS), US imaging in late pregnancy, Doppler velocimetry in low-risk pregnancy, and tocolysis beyond 7 days. In several cases there are published RCTs, but clinical acceptance is still evolving (multiple course BMZ, pulse oximetry, and electrocardiogram ST-segment analysis). CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that technologies which are simple to apply, and have a single endpoint, show concordance between RCT results and clinical use (HUAM, short-term tocolysis, single-course BMZ, TRH, and fFN). Those that are complex to apply (FBS), or interpret (FHRM), and/or do not have a single clear end point (FHRM, Doppler), or have results that are of great personal interest to the patient (FHRM, US imaging, long-term tocolysis), are more likely to show discordance. In several cases despite published RCTs, clinical acceptance or rejection is still evolving (multiple course BMZ, pulse oximetry, and electrocardiogram ST-segment analysis). These inconsistent relationships suggest that the decision-making processes of obstetric providers and patients would be a fruitful area of investigation.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1991

Psychophysical acceptability and perception of load heaviness by females.

The objective of the study was to evaluate subjective perceptions of load heaviness, and relate these perceptions to the maximal acceptable weights of lift. Ten female college students experienced in manual lifting participated in the study. In the first experiment, subjects were asked to select one of the seven linguistic values of load heaviness (very light, light, less-than-medium, medium, more-than-medium, heavy, and very heavy), which would best describe the lifted loads. Seven boxes, ranging in weight between 2.3 kg and 22.7 kg, were used for that purpose. In the second experiment, subjects were asked to fill empty boxes to the level they felt would best reflect a given load heaviness category. In the third experiment, the psychophysical methodology was used to determine the maximal acceptable weight of lift for an 8-hour day. The results showed that 50% of the subjects considered a 20.4 kg box (45 lbs) as very heavy, while another 50% believed that such a load was heavy. The average load selected as maximal acceptable weight of lift (MAWL) for an 8-hour day was 16.4 kg (standard deviation (SD) = 5.3 kg). When asked to determine the weights that would best describe a given category of load heaviness, the subjects selected 22.5 kg (SD = 3.7 kg) and 18.4 kg (SD = 2.7 kg) for very heavy and heavy categories, respectively. Further analysis revealed that only 30% of the subjects selected MAWL values that were larger than the pre-weighted boxes independently judged by them as very heavy or heavy categories. Also, 10% and 30% of the subjects selected MAWL values that were larger than the weights chosen during the self-classification procedure as representative of heavy or very heavy categories of load heaviness, respectively. It was shown that the loads selected as the maximum acceptable weights for an 8 h shift were independently judged by the female subjects as being in the more-than-moderate or heavy weight categories. Comparison of the results for females and males led to a conclusion that female subjects were more realistic, with respect to subjective perception of load heaviness, in selecting the MAWL values than were male subjects.

Adult↗