Abstract
With the improving of quality of life, not only the functions of baby carriers meet the needs of people, but also the ergonomics issues are subject to the users’ concern. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different of baby carrier design, carrying time and carrying type on MAWC (maximum acceptable weight of carrying), percentage of maximum heart rate (%HR) and perceived exertion using Borg’s CR-10 scale. A total of 20 subjects were recruited (10 males and 10 females). The independent variables included gender (male and female), different baby carrier design (A, B and C), simulated carrying time (1 hour and 4 hours) and carrying type (front and back). The dependent variables were MAWC, %HR, and perceived exertion using Borg’s CR-10 scale that were assessed during the experiment.The ANOVA results indicated that gender, baby carrier and simulated carrying time had significant influence on MAWC (p < 0.05). Male’s MAWC was significant higher than that of females’. Back carrying of B-type baby carrier had the greatest MAWC, and was significantly higher than the other combinations. As for %HR, 1-hour was significantly greater than 4-hours in carrying time. In addition, gender, different baby carrier design, carrying type and simulated carrying time had significant influence on perceived exertion using Borg’s CR-10 scale (p < 0.05). Based on the finding, it provides useful information for baby carrier design and carrying method selection.