title: Spine Posture and Discomfort During Prolonged Simulated Driving With Self-Selected Lumbar Support Prominence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined magnitude preference, subjective discomfort, and spine posture during prolonged simulated driving with a self-selected amount of lumbar support.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The general use of lumbar supports has been associated with decreased reports of low-back pain during driving exposures; however, minimal data exist regarding occupant magnitude preference.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants chose between five discrete levels of lumbar support (0-4 cm). Time-varying postural and discomfort responses were then monitored throughout 2 hr of simulated driving.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant effects of gender or time on posture. Women preferred larger amounts of support than men (3.25 cm ± 0.71 and 2.56 cm ± 0.88, respectively, p = .048). All participants exhibited significant increases (p = .003) in pelvic discomfort throughout the 2-hr trial regardless of the level of support chosen. Discomfort related to various aspects of the lumbar support increased significantly over time. Retrospectively, no participants desired a setting beyond 4 cm, and the majority of respondents indicate had they been able to change their initial selection, they would choose a setting between 2 and 3 cm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that occupants would prefer increasing the excursion capability of automobile lumbar supports beyond 2 cm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Excursion capability and adjustability of automobile lumbar supports are important features to better meet end-user preference and to reducing lumbar flexion in sitting.
authors.affiliation: University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada.
authors.forename: Diana E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: De Carvalho
authors.affiliation: University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada jack.callaghan@uwaterloo.ca.
authors.forename: Jack P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Callaghan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: biomechanics; gender; interventions; physical ergonomics; spine; vehicle design