PVAT - a Video Analysis Tool for Microgravity Posture Evaluation

PVAT (Posture Video Analysis Tool) has been developed to meet the special needs of ergonomist and human factors analyst attempting to evaluate microgravity working posture from video footage. These specialists often have very little or no control over the video coverage. Moreover, the majority of Shuttle mission videos are not recorded for quantitative analysis. The purpose for developing PVAT is to provide a structured methodology in which these specialists could optimize the data collection technique. PVAT is specifically designed to document microgravity postures using videos of astronauts working in a space environment. The primary focus of PVAT is identifying the microgravity working postures and relating them to design issues in the workplace. This tool is currently an interactive software prototype written in Supercard^TM. Users are provided with a set of input parameters such as: subject code, body orientation, targeted body part, camera view (given subject location), body movement, and rating level. A secondary set of inputs are also available which provides the ability to document extraneous behaviors or activities such as bending, reaching and interruptions. The tool allows for the input parameters to be customized as needed. Once the setup is defined, the user begins documenting the target posture and/or behaviors. The paper will discuss PVAT, its space applications and plans for its use.