18 The effect of Light on Performance

Work Smart - Feel Good

7KH HƪHFW RI OLJKW RQ SHUIRUPDQFH 7KH SDUDOOHOV EHWZHHQ DVWURQDXWV DQG RƯFH ZRUNHUV

Introduction ,W LV ZLGHO\ NQRZQ WKDW OLJKW KDV DQ HƪHFW RQ RXU ZHOOEHLQJ ,Q JHQHUDO QRUWK (XURSHDQV VXƪHU PRUH IURP DưLFWLRQV VXFK DV ZLQWHU GHSUHVVLRQ WKDQ FHQWUDO (XURSHDQV GR 7KLV GLVSDULW\ LV H[SODLQHG E\ WKH QXPEHU RI GD\OLJKW KRXUV LQ ZLQWHU D FLW\ VXFK DV 5H\NMDYLN VRPHWLPHV KDV IHZHU WKDQ ƬYH KRXUV RI GD\OLJKW /LJKW WKHUDS\ LV QRZ D ZLGHO\ DFFHSWHG LQWHUYHQWLRQ IRU SURPRWLQJ D SRVLWLYH VWDWH RI PLQG LQ WKHVH QRUWKHUQ UHJLRQV %XW LQ DGGLWLRQ WR PRRG WKH IDFW WKDW OLJKW DOVR KDV DQ HƪHFW RQ RXU SHUIRUPDQFH LV VWLOO XQFKDUWHG WHUULWRU\ IRU PDQ\ SHRSOH OHW DORQH WKDW HPSOR\HUV SURYLGH DQ HƪHFWLYH UHVSRQVH

2

Astronauts, light and performance 5HVHDUFK FRQGXFWHG RQ 1$6$ DVWURQDXWV )O\QQ (YDQV HW DO VKRZHG WKDW DVWURQDXWV ZKR VSHQG DQ\ OHQJWK RI WLPH LQ VSDFH VOHHS VL[ KRXUV D QLJKW RQ DYHUDJH DV RSSRVHG WR WKH UHFRPPHQGHG VWDQGDUG PLQLPXP RI VHYHQ KRXUV $EVHQFH RI WKH pHDUWKO\q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ƪHFWHG DQG FRJQLWLYH SHUIRUPDQFH GHWHULRUDWHG

3

The dynamic nature of natural light (DUWKO\ OLJKW FKDQJHV LQ LQWHQVLW\ DQG ZDYHOHQJWK GXULQJ WKH GD\ LQ D G\QDPLF ZD\ 7KLV LV UHƮHFWHG LQ D FKDQJH LQ WKH FRORXU RI WKH OLJKW ZKHUHDV PRUQLQJ OLJKW KDV D EOXLVK WRQH VKRUW ZDYHOHQJWK KLJK LQWHQVLW\ WKLV WXUQV UHG DV HYHQLQJ DSSURDFKHV ORQJHU ZDYHOHQJWK PRGHUDWH LQWHQVLW\ Figure 1 The blue light of a sunrise versus the more red light of a sunset stimulates the pineal gland (epiphysis) to produce more cortisol and stimulate the production of melatonin respectively.

4

7KLV G\QDPLF OLJKW HQWHUV WKURXJK RXU H\HV DQG LV VHQW YLD WKH RSWLF QHUYH WR WKH UHJLRQV RI WKH EUDLQ UHVSRQVLEOH IRU KRUPRQH SURGXFWLRQ 7KH SUHVHQFH RI EOXH OLJKW IURP VXQOLJKW RU DUWLƬFLDO OLJKW WHOHYLVLRQV RU PRQLWRUV VWLPXODWHV WKH SURGXFWLRQ RI FRUWLVRO DQG LQKLELWV WKH SURGXFWLRQ RI PHODWRQLQ WKH nVOHHS KRUPRQHo &RQYHUVHO\ LI H[SRVXUH WR EOXH OLJKW GHFUHDVHV LW VWLPXODWHV WKH QDWXUDO SURGXFWLRQ RI PHODWRQLQ 7KLV LV WKH VLJQDO IRU WKH ERG\ WR JUDGXDOO\ UHOD[

Cortisol Cortisol is also known as the stress hormone. Cortisol causes protein in muscle to break down, thus releasing amino acids, which deliver energy (glucose). The production of cortisol in the body follows the Circadian rhythm– the level of production varies throughout the day. More cortisol is released in the morning than the evening

Melatonin Melatonin is also known as the sleep hormone. The production of this hormone in the pineal gland is directly linked to exposure to light.

Production of melatonin decreases due to exposure to blue light from DUWLƬFLDO OLJKW OLJKW IURP PRQLWRUV RU VXQOLJKW :KHQ OLJKW GHFUHDVHV in intensity and it gets dark, production of melatonin resumes.

%DODQFHG KRUPRQH OHYHOV DUH FUXFLDO WR SHUIRUPDQFH $Q HDUOLHU VWXG\ .OHLWPDQ VKRZHG WKDW YDULDWLRQV LQ SHUIRUPDQFH WKURXJKRXW WKH GD\ IROORZHG WKH VDPH F\FOH DV WKH FRUWLVRO FXUYH LQ QRUPDO &LUFDGLDQ UK\WKP VHH ƬJXUH &RUWLVRO ULVHV UDSLGO\ LQ WKH PRUQLQJ DQG SHDNV DURXQG QRRQ ,W JUDGXDOO\ UHGXFHV WKURXJKRXW WKH UHVW RI WKH GD\ 5HVHDUFKHUV VWXGLHG FRJQLWLYH VNLOOV VXFK DV VSHHG DQG DFFXUDF\ RI SHUIRUPDQFH RI D QXPEHU RI WDVNV DPRQJVW RWKHUV )RU H[DPSOH WKH VSHHG ZLWK ZKLFK RQH LV DEOH WR GHDO DQG VRUW FDUGV DQG PXOWLSO\ DQG GHFLSKHU FRGHV :KDW GLG WKH\ ƬQG" &RJQLWLYH SHUIRUPDQFH ZDV DOPRVW FRPSOHWHO\ LQ NHHSLQJ ZLWK SK\VLRORJLFDO IDFWRUV VXFK DV ERG\ WHPSHUDWXUH DQG KHDUW UDWH WKH VDPH DSSOLHG ZKHQ WKH\ ORRNHG DW DYHUDJHV RYHU WZHQW\ GD\V

5

SUBJECT H.K.

Average over 20 days 98.1

112

97,9

108

Dealing cards speed

104 100 108

Oral temperature

97,7 97,5

62

104

Sorting cards speed

100 112

60

Heart rate

58 56

108 104

Mirror drawing speed

100

140

Mirror drawing accuracy

120 100

96

180 112

160

108 104

Code transcription 140 speed 120

100

100

118

220

112

Multiplication speed

106

Code transcription accuracy

180

Multiplication accuracy

140 100

100 7

8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 23 Time of day

7

Figure 2 Body temperature and heart rate show increase and decrease curves equivalent to the speed with which one can deal and sort cards, decipher codes and carry out multiplication.

The same tendency was observed over a 20day average. These curves thus correlate with cortisol production throughout the day. It can be concluded that biorhythm and performance are closely linked and are relatively stable.

6

8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 23 Time of day

Cognitive performance

Mood

Pupillary constriction Thalamus

Sleep/Wake state

Locomotor activity

Cortex

Memory Figure 3 Light enters via the retina and sends VLJQDOV WR WKH SLQHDO JODQG 'LƪHUHQW ZDYHOHQJWKV SURGXFH GLƪHUHQFHV LQ KRUPRQH SURGXFWLRQ 7KHVH GLƪHUHQFHV LQ KRUPRQH SURGXFWLRQ KDYH DQ HƪHFW RQ amongst others, cognitive performance, mood, memory and Circadian rhythm.

Pineal Gland (Pijnappelklier)

Hypothalamus

Circadian rhythms

2ƯFH ZRUNHUV DUH MXVW OLNH astronauts 2ƯFH ZRUNHUV IXQFWLRQ DOPRVW MXVW DV XQQDWXUDOO\ DV DVWURQDXWV GR $IWHU DOO RƯFH ZRUNHUVo ERGLHV DUH FRQIXVHG E\ DOO NLQGV RI DUWLƬ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ƮRRU JRRG OLJKWLQJ UHPDLQV XQFKDUWHG WHUULWRU\ IRU PDQ\ RUJDQLVDWLRQV )OXRUHVFHQW WXEH OLJKWLQJ ZLWK VWDWLF EOXH ZKLWH OLJKW LV JHQHUDOO\ WKH UXOH UDWKHU WKDQ WKH H[FHSWLRQ RQ WKH VKRS ƮRRU

7

Dynamic light enhances performance $VWURQDXWV H[SHULHQFH D GHWHULRUDWLRQ LQ FRJQLWLYH SHUIRUPDQFH DQG PRRG GXH WR FKDQJHV LQ OLJKW H[SRVXUH 7KH VDPH DSSOLHV WR RƯFH ZRUNHUV WKH\ FDQ VXƪHU IURP WKH VDPH V\PSWRPV LQ WKH ORQJ WHUP 0DQ\ KRXUV RI H[SRVXUH WR EOXH OLJKW DQG D ODFN RI QDWXUDO GD\OLJKW FDQ XSVHW ELRUK\WKP ZKLFK FDQ UHVXOW LQ GLVWXUEDQFHV LQ FRJQLWLYH SHUIRUPDQFH DQG PRRG LQ WKH ORQJ WHUP ([SRVXUH WR G\QDPLF OLJKW GXULQJ RƯFH KRXUV LV HVVHQWLDO IRU VXVWDLQDEOH HPSOR\DELOLW\ :KDW FDQ ZH GR WR FRXQWHUDFW WKH QHJDWLYH HƪHFWV RI DUWLƬFLDO OLJKW OLJKW IURP FRPSXWHU PRQLWRUV DQG WKH ODFN RI QDWXUDO GD\OLJKW RQ ELRUK\WKP" 2XWGRRU EUHDNV KDYH D SRVLWLYH HƪHFW RQ ELRUK\WKP DQG VKRXOG EH SURPRWHG PRUH RQ WKH VKRS ƮRRU 1R DUWLƬFLDO OLJKW LV DV SRZHUIXO DV QDWXUDO OLJKW WKH LQWHQVLW\ RI RƯFH OLJKWLQJ LV EHWZHHQ OX[ RQ DYHUDJH ZKLOH QDWXUDO GD\OLJKW RQ D FOHDU GD\ FDQ UHDFK DQ LQWHQVLW\ RI ,QFUHDVLQJ \RXU GDLO\ H[SRVXUH WR QDWXUDO OLJKW JLYHV \RXU ELRUK\WKP DQ LQGLFDWLRQ RI WKH WLPH RI GD\ ZKLFK SURPRWHV EDODQFHG KRUPRQH OHYHOV 7KHUH DUH DOVR YDULRXV NLQGV RI VRIWZDUH WRROV VXFK DV :RUN 0RYH ZKLFK HQFRXUDJH HPSOR\HHV WR WDNH EUHDNV IURP ZRUN DQG DFWLYHO\ HQJDJH LQ EUHDNV IRU H[HUFLVH DQG UHFRYHU\ 7KHVH DUH XVHIXO WRROV WKDW SURYLGH WKH QHFHVVDU\ PHQWDO DQG SK\VLFDO UHOD[DWLRQ

8

No time for a break?

1DWXUDOO\ OLJKW DOVR UHDFKHV WKH UHWLQD YLD ZLQGRZV ,W LV WKHUHIRUH DGYLVDEOH WR SODFH ZRUNVWDWLRQV FORVH WR ZLQGRZV DQG WR DOZD\V IDYRXU VXFK ZRUNVWDWLRQV RYHU WKRVH WKDW RQO\ KDYH DUWLƬFLDO OLJKWLQJ ,Q DGGLWLRQ WKHUH DUH QRZ DOO NLQGV RI VROXWLRQV IRU SUHYHQWLQJ GLVUXSWLRQV WR ELRUK\WKP FDXVHG E\ OLJKW IURP PRQLWRUV )RU H[DPSOH WKH ) OX[ DSSOLFDWLRQ KDV EHHQ LQ H[LVWHQFH IRU VRPH WLPH 7KH ) OX[ DSSOLFDWLRQ FDQ EH GRZQORDGHG IRU IUHH 7KH DSS DVNV \RX WR HQWHU \RXU ORFDWLRQ DQG WKHQ DGMXVWV WKH OLJKW IURP \RXU FRPSXWHU VFUHHQ WR WKH WLPH RI GD\ DW \RXU ODWLWXGH DQG ORQJLWXGH 7KH QDWXUDO YDULDWLRQ RI EOXH OLJKW WR UHG OLJKW LV DGMXVWHG JUDGXDOO\ RQ WKH PRQLWRU

In summary ([SRVXUH WR G\QDPLF OLJKW GXULQJ RƯFH KRXUV LV HVVHQWLDO IRU VXVWDLQDEOH HPSOR\DELOLW\ 7R HQDEOH RƯFH ZRUNHUV WR SHUIRUP EHWWHU LW LV LPSRUWDQW FUHDWLQJ PRUH QDWXUDO GD\OLJKW LQ WKH ZRUNSODFH :RXOG \RX OLNH WR NQRZ PRUH DERXW WKLV VXEMHFW RU DERXW %DNNHU(ONKXL]HQ" 7KHQ FRQWDFW XV

Myrthe van Stralen Senior Consultant | Research and Development %DNNHU(ONKXL]HQ SDUW RI 2ƯFH $WKOHWHV

9

About BakkerElkhuizen Contact details:

BakkerElkhuizen develops excellent products

BakkerElkhuizen International B.V.

IRU PDNLQJ FRPSXWHU XVH KHDOWK\ DQG HƯFLHQW

Taalstraat 151 5261 BC Vught

Products from BakkerElkhuizen display the perfect

The Netherlands

combination of function, ergonomics and design.

Tel. +31 36 546 7265

E-mail: info@bakkerelkhuizen.com

BakkerElkhuizen advises and helps companies equip their

Website: www.bakkerelkhuizen.com

ZRUNSODFH LQFOXGLQJ RƯFHV WKDW XVH WHOHFRPPXWLQJ DQG ƮH[LEOH ZRUNLQJ VR WKDW HDFK ZRUNVWDWLRQ UHFHLYHV the right solution and the right accessories.

BakkerElkhuizen bases this on four workstation concepts: - permanent workstation - mobile workstation ƮH[LEOH ZRUNVWDWLRQ - home workstation

The point of departure is that an employee must be able to perform his or her computer work comfortably, healthily DQG HƯFLHQWO\ ZKHUHYHU KH RU VKH ZRUNV 3HRSOH FRPH ƬUVW LQ HYHU\WKLQJ WKDW %DNNHU(ONKXL]HQ GRHV ZKHWKHU LW

We want to share our knowledge: Subscribe here to our newsletter

concerns developing new products, performing research or cooperating with suppliers, resellers and customers.

We would like to help you!

We enjoy giving you the best possible advice, and because everyone and every

{

organisation is unique, our specialists give tailored advice.

Are you looking for a reseller of our products?

Phone us (+31 36 546 7265) or send us a short e-mail (info@bakkerelkhuizen.com) with your question or problem and we will contact you within 24 hours with the right advice for you.

10

Sources

11

•

'HUN -DQ 'LMN 'DYLG ) 1HUL -DPHV . :\DWW -RVHSK 0 5RQGD (\PDUG 5LHO $QJHOD 5LW] 'H &HFFR 5RG - +XJKHV $QQ 5 (OOLRWW * .LP 3ULVN -RKQ % :HVW &KDUOHV $ &]HLVOHU 6OHHS SHUIRUPDQFH FLUFDGLDQ UK\WKPV DQG OLJKW GDUN F\FOHV GXULQJ WZR VSDFH VKXWWOH ƮLJKWV $PHULFDQ -RXUQDO RI 3K\VLRORJ\ 5HJXODWRU\ ,QWHJUDWLYH DQG &RPSDUDWLYH 3K\VLRORJ\ 3XEOLVKHG 1RYHPEHU 9RO QR 5 5 '2,

•

)O\QQ (YDQV ( %DUJHU / N .XEH\ $ $ 6XOOLYDQ - 3 &]HLVOHU & $ HW DO &LUFDGLDQ PLVDOLJQPHQW DƪHFWV VOHHS DQG PHGLFDWLRQ XVH EHIRUH DQG GXULQJ VSDFHƮLJKW 3XEOLVKHG 2QOLQH ZZZ 1$6$ JRY

•

.OHLWPDQ 1 6WXGLHV RQ WKH SK\VLRORJ\ RI VOHHS 9,,, 'LXUQDO YDULDWLRQ LQ SHUIRUPDQFH $P - 3K\VLRO

•

/RFNOH\ 6WHYHQ : *HRUJH & %UDLQDUG DQG &KDUOHV $ &]HLVOHU p+LJK VHQVLWLYLW\ RI WKH KXPDQ FLUFDGLDQ PHODWRQLQ UK\WKP WR UHVHWWLQJ E\ VKRUW ZDYHOHQJWK OLJKW q - &OLQ (QGRFULQRO 0HWDE

•

/RFNOH\ 6WHYHQ : HW DO p6KRUW ZDYHOHQJWK VHQVLWLYLW\ IRU WKH GLUHFW HƪHFWV RI OLJKW RQ DOHUWQHVV YLJLODQFH DQG WKH ZDNLQJ HOHFWURHQFHSKDORJUDP LQ KXPDQV q 6/((3