Whole Body Vibration Exposures among professional Drivers

Whole Body Vibration Exposures among professional Drivers

Occupational Ergonomics and Biomechanics Laboratory

Whole Body Vibration Exposures among professional Drivers

Be a part of an important research study!

“Effects of Multi-axial Whole Body Vibrations on Postural Stability”

Researchers from the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University are planning to do a study measuring how different seat suspensions attenuate exposure to whole body vibration and affect biomechanical exposures and postural stability. We hope the results of this study will help us evaluate the current designs and potentially lead to the identification of additional design modifications to further promote occupational health of drivers.

Details:  Effects of Multi-axial Whole Body Vibrations on Postural Stability

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Exposure to whole body vibration has a strong association with various musculoskeletal disorders, especially low back pain.  Through lab- and field-based research, we investigate the effect of multi-axial vibration on vehicle operator’s general and musculoskeletal disorders. Our goal is to advance the science of whole-body vibration in a real world setting for an ultimate goal of improving health and well-being of professional drivers.  Past and current research has been funded by National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Washington State’s Safety and Health Investment Project (SHIP), and Bose Corporation.

 

On-going and Recent Research Projects

 

Relevant publications

Pan-Zagorski W, Johbson PW, Pereny MA, Kim JH "Automotive Seat Comfort and Vibration Performance Evaluation in Dynamic Settings", Applied Sciences. 2022;12(8):4033. doi:10.3390/app12084033.
Kia K, Fitch SM, Newsom, SA, and Kim, JH, “Effect of whole-body vibration exposures on physiological stresses: Mining heavy equipment applications”, Applied Ergonomics, vol. 85, p. 103065, 2020.
Park JH, Kia K, Srinivasan D, Kim JH Postural balance effects from exposure to multi-axial whole-body vibration in mining vehicle operation. Applied Ergonomics. 2020;91:103307. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103307.
Johnson PW, Zigman, M, Ibbotson, J, Dennerlein, JT, and Kim, JH, “A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Truck Seat Intervention: Part 1—Assessment of Whole Body Vibration Exposures”, Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 2018.

Kim JH, Dennerlein, JT, and Johnson, PW (2018) “The effect of a multi-axis suspension on whole body vibration exposures and physical stress in the neck and low back in agricultural tractor applications”, Applied Ergonomics, vol. 68, pp. 80 - 89.

Kim JH, Zigman, M, Aulck, LS, Ibbotson, JA, Dennerlein, JT, and Johnson, PW (2016) “Whole Body Vibration Exposures and Health Status among Professional Truck Drivers: A Cross-sectional Analysis”, Annals of Occupational Hygiene, vol. 60, no. 8, pp. 936 - 948.