Effects of vibration exposure on professional drivers: a field test for quantifying visual and cognitive performance.
Effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure on professional drivers were predicted using a 45 subjects sample of healthy volunteers from both genders. These volunteers preformed a visual/motor accuracy evaluation test, the 'omega test', inside a vehicle (van) under three different WBV exposure conditions, van halted, van performing a circuit on asphalt, and on cobblestone. WBV levels of the stated conditions were statistically different and impairment upon subjects' performance was found. The statistical significant difference encountered between the subjects performance under the two whole-body vibration profiles (asphalt and cobblestone), seems to indicate that the vibration levels also represent a variable to be taken under consideration. No gender related difference was found.
Department of Production and Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Campus of Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal. ncosta@dps.uminho.pt
N
N
Costa
P M
PM
Arezesa
R B
RB
Melo
D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D014186:Transportation; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D055815:Young Adult
D006854:Hydrocortisone