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Postural Stability of Commercial Truck Drivers: Impact of Whole-Body Vibration

Postural Stability of Commercial Truck Drivers: Impact of Whole-Body Vibration. Shaman Ahuja, Graduate Student Dr. Jerry Davis , Faculty Advisor. What is Postural Stability?. Base of Support. Center of Mass Trace. Why research on Commercial Truck Drivers?.

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Postural Stability of Commercial Truck Drivers: Impact of Whole-Body Vibration

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  1. Postural Stability of Commercial Truck Drivers: Impact of Whole-Body Vibration Shaman Ahuja, Graduate Student Dr. Jerry Davis, Faculty Advisor

  2. What is Postural Stability? Base of Support Center of Mass Trace

  3. Why research on Commercial Truck Drivers? • 517 fatal injuries reported in the Truck Transportation Industry in 2003, of which 17 were reported to be as a result of falls from a non-moving vehicle. • Long Haul Freight (LHF) Trucking accounted for approximately 70% of the fatal fall related injuries. Note: Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics

  4. Why research on Commercial Truck Drivers? • Falls from LHF during descent (egress) >8* Falls during ascending into the trucks cab (driver’s compartment) (Nicholson, 1985). • Loss of Balance - contributing factor in fall incidents (Holbein & Redfern, 1997).

  5. Gap/Void in Literature • Previous research investigated the relationship between WBV and postural stability in simulated laboratory environments (uni-axial vibration) (Futatsuka et al., 1998; Cohen, 1979). • Lack of real-time vibration exposure (tri-axial) data – Very limited research has involved real time truck driving!

  6. Method: Venue • Research conducted at 1.9 mile National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) Test Track • Track owned by Auburn University for Asphalt Research • 5 Long Haul Freight trucks owned by Auburn University operate on 2 shifts.

  7. NCAT Test Track

  8. The Fleet: 5 LHF Trucks

  9. Instrument & Test Used • NeuroCom® Balance Master System™ Test Used: Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB). • Differentiates between Eyes Open and Eyes Closed

  10. Driving Routines • 2 Driving Shifts • 4:30 AM to 2:00 PM • 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM • standard breaks: 30 minutes each • 5 trucks @ 45 miles/hour • Total distance covered/day=2925 miles

  11. Procedure Pre1 Post1 Pre2 Post2 Pre3 Post3 Driving session Rest Break Test Procedure: • Driver is called to testing position. • Driver stops completely, egress from vehicle and steps on the force plate. • Principal Investigator conducts the experiment. • Driver climbs back into Cab and drives away.

  12. Anterior/Posterior SwayEyes Open vs. Eyes Closed

  13. Medial/Lateral SwayEyes Open vs. Eyes Closed

  14. Results/Analysis • Sway (cm) during an 8-hour driving shift was: • (a) greater in eyes open versus eyes closed testing conditions, • (b) greater following a standard 2 and ½ hour driving routine, • (c) greater at each of the post-test measures, with results indicating a time dependent increase over each driving routine.

  15. Future Research • Assess the effects WBV has on the visual system. • Research to focus on the recovery aspect of exposure to WBV. • Research the minimum duration of WBV exposure which significantly affects postural stability.

  16. Future Research • Spinal shrinkage vs WBV. • Cruise Control vs Manual control. • HAV • Combination of Vibration & Noise • Roadside safety related research.

  17. Questions & Comments

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