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Vibration and spinal lengthening in simulated vehicle driving
1Institute for Occupational Ergonomics, University of Nottingham, UK.
Applied Ergonomics
|March 12, 2003
Summary
Simulated driving vibrations may surprisingly increase spinal length, contrary to the hypothesis of spinal shrinking under load. This suggests spinal unloading occurs at specific frequencies during driving.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Factors Engineering
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Driving is associated with back pain.
- Previous research hypothesized spinal load during driving causes spinal length reduction.
- A precision stadiometer was used to measure spinal length changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of simulated driving vibrations on spinal length.
- To test the hypothesis that spinal load during driving reduces spinal length.
Main Methods:
- Eight subjects underwent simulated driving conditions.
- Spinal length was measured using a precision stadiometer.
- Subjects were exposed to vertical and horizontal vibrations at 4 Hz, 6 Hz, and 8 Hz, and also under no vibration conditions.
Main Results:
- Spinal length increased in all subjects exposed to 4 Hz vibration.
- Spinal length decreased under no vibration conditions.
- No statistically significant change in spinal length was observed at 6 Hz and 8 Hz.
Conclusions:
- Simulated driving with vibration at 4 Hz leads to an increase in spinal length.
- Results indicate spinal unloading under specific simulated driving vibration conditions.
- The findings suggest that vibrations near the spine's natural frequency may have a protective effect.
