The Impact of Workload and Fatigue on Performance

Both workload and fatigue impair performance, and a high workload can lead to an increase in fatigue. This paper reports on two studies regarding workload and fatigue, and their impact on performance. Study 1 examined the risk factors for fatigue and the outcomes of it in relation to the rail industry. The results showed that workload is one of several predictors of fatigue. In Study 2 an online test integrating a single-item subjective measure and objective cognitive tests was used to examine the association between workload, fatigue and performance. Workload was found to be a factor that increased fatigue, which then resulted in a change in performance.