The term ergonomics was first coined in 1857 by the Polish scholar Wojciech Jastrzębowski, deriving from the combination of the Greek words ergon (work) and nomos (laws or rules). Although initially associated with the physical comfort of workers, today the term applies to a wide range of activities, from sports to leisure. It represents a set of guidelines and procedures designed to ensure both physical and mental well-being during any given task.
According to the official definition adopted by the IEA (International Ergonomics Association) since 2000, ergonomics can be defined as:
Scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions between humans and other elements or systems, and the application of theories, principles, data, and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.
