Head and Trunk Acceleration During Intermediate Transport on Medical Utility Vehicles.
OBJECTIVE
To compare head and trunk acceleration during transport on 2 medical utility vehicles.


METHODS
Within subject.


METHODS
Controlled laboratory.


METHODS
Nineteen male volunteers (21.8 ± 1.4 years, 176.5 ± 5.5 cm, 90.3 ± 16.1 kg).


METHODS
Participants were secured to a spineboard and stretcher on the Husqvarna HUV 4421DXL ambulance (HUV) and modified John Deere Gator TH (Gator) and driven over synthetic field turf transitioning to concrete slab (interval 1) and concrete slab transitioning to natural grass (interval 2). Three-dimensional (x, y, and z) accelerometers recorded head and trunk acceleration. At each data point, acceleration of the trunk was subtracted from the acceleration of the head and the peak acceleration difference was determined. Independent variables were vehicle (HUV, Gator) and interval (interval 1, interval 2).


METHODS
The average peak acceleration differences in 3 directions (x, y, z) were analyzed using a 2-factor within analysis of variance (P ≤ 0.05).


RESULTS
For x, Gator in interval 2 (28.34 ± 7.45 m/s/s) was greater than HUV in interval 2 (21.87 ± 6.28 m/s/s), and HUV (11.05 ± 3.29 m/s/s) and Gator (12.56 ± 4.32 m/s/s) in interval 1. The HUV in interval 2 was greater than HUV and Gator in interval 1. For z, Gator in interval 2 (22.12 ± 4.8 m/s/s) was greater than HUV in interval 2 (15.21 ± 2.84 m/s/s), and HUV (9.51 ± 3.01 m/s/s) and Gator (12.5 ± 3.78 m/s/s) in interval 1. The HUV in interval 2 was greater than HUV and Gator in interval 1. Gator in interval 1 was greater than HUV in interval 1.


CONCLUSIONS
Varying head and trunk accelerations exist in healthy spine-boarded participants during transport on medical utility vehicles dependent on surface and vehicle type.


CONCLUSIONS
Intermediate transport vehicles vary in their ability to mitigate perturbations conveyed to the patient from the terrain travelled over.
*Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas; and †Department of Kinesiology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire.
W Steven
WS
Tucker
Erik E
EE
Swartz
Stephen D
SD
Hornor
D000054:Acceleration; D061725:Accelerometry; D006257:Head; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D015541:Off-Road Motor Vehicles; D013499:Surface Properties; D060726:Torso; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D055815:Young Adult