Final answer:
Ergonomics is the design of workspaces to improve efficiency and reduce injury, work hardening strengthens materials through plastic deformation, and work conditioning rehabilitates individuals for a return to work.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ergonomics, Work Hardening, and Work Conditioning Definitions
Ergonomics is the study of people's efficiency in their working environment. It involves the design of equipment, systems, and devices that fit the human body and its cognitive abilities, aiming to enhance productivity while reducing discomfort, fatigue, and the risk of injury. Work hardening, also known as strain hardening, refers to the process of increasing the strength of a material, such as metal, by plastic deformation.
This process introduces a dense network of dislocations throughout the solid, making it harder and stronger. Work conditioning is a physical therapy program that aims to restore an individual's physical capacity and functional abilities to enable a return to work, particularly after injury or illness.