title: Evaluation of motorcyclist's discomfort during prolonged riding process with and without lumbar support.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim of this study is to examine the effects of a backrest: using a prototype of a lumbar support presented in author's earlier study on the discomfort rating of the body parts of motorcyclist.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred motorcyclists participated in this study, all in good physical condition and with no immediate complaint of musculoskeletal disorders. Each participant was asked to sit for 2 hours on a motorcycle in two different sessions (with and without the lumbar support) in a controlled room environment. At every 15 minutes interval the participants were required to rate their discomfort level on the Borg's CR-10 questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of discomfort level (in all body parts) decreased over time during the testing period with the prototype. In terms of the discomfort 'break point', participants identified low back and upper back as the most affected body parts prior to comfort changes during the testing period with the use of the prototype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of this prototype provides a protective mechanism for the motorcyclist's musculoskeletal system, particularly the spinal column. Therefore, this prototype is capable of providing ideal posture while simultaneously enhancing the comfortability of the motorcyclist during the riding process (by reducing discomfort).
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. karmegam@medic.upm.edu.my
authors.forename: Karmegam
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karuppiah
authors.forename: Mohd S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Salit
authors.forename: Mohd Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Napsiah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Shamsul B M
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Tamrin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009049:Motorcycles; D011187:Posture; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult