[Effect of lumbar protective belt on prevention of low back fatigue in personnel during simulated driving].
OBJECTIVE
To observe low back fatigue of subjects before and after simulated driving, and to study the role of the belt used in prevention of low back fatigue of drivers during driving.


METHODS
To assess the changes in median frequency (MF), mean power frequency (MPF) of surface electromyogram (SEMG), and flicker frequency, visuognosis persistence of drivers with and without protective belt in simulated driving.


RESULTS
There were significant differences in MF [(47.35 +/- 6.07), (39.26 +/- 5.79), (47.21 +/- 6.02), (43.44 +/- 6.26) Hz respectively], MPF [(69.86 +/- 7.08), (59.12 +/- 7.19), (69.86 +/- 7.08), (63.88 +/- 7.49) Hz respectively] between before and after simulated driving without or with the special belt (P < 0.01). But no differences in MF or MPF between without and with the belt before simulated driving were found (P > 0.05). The flicker frequency [(35.64 +/- 2.82), (42.31 +/- 4.68), (35.96 +/- 3.05), (39.79 +/- 3.36) Hz], visuognosis persistence (65.77% +/- 3.94%, 56.83% +/- 5.68%, 65.88% +/- 3.92%, 62.27% +/- 2.91%) had some changes too.


CONCLUSIONS
Simulated diving could induce fatigue of back muscle in drivers. However, the protective belt can effectively prevent low back fatigue of drivers in simulated driving.
He
Li-Hua
LH
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100083, China.
Wang
Sheng
S
Shen
Peng
P
Yu
Hong
H
Liang
Hong-Ying
HY
Wu
Wen-Wen
WW
Hou
Shu-Xun
SX
D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011482:Protective Devices