Work

Re-evaluating fatigue measurement: A comparative study of subjective and objective fatigue tests

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Fatigue poses a significant risk in hazardous industries, with forestry being a particularly under-examined domain. Despite the availability of subjective and objective fatigue tests, inconsistencies in their application, selection rationale, and performance remain largely unaddressed in existing literature. This paper investigates the utility and challenges of subjective and objective fatigue assessments through a review of existing literature and two case studies: one intensive longitudinal study with a single participant and another broader study involving 31 participants. Our results reveal strong internal consistency across subjective tests but variable outcomes for objective tests, raising questions about test sensitivity and context-specific reliability. We argue for clearer guidance on fatigue test selection and propose criteria to inform future research in complex, real-world settings like forestry.

Source: Safety Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106958

Authors: J.L. König, J. Bowen, A. Hinze

Institution: University of Waikato

Language: English

Topic: Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,360