Kinematic and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Pedal Operation by Elderly Drivers during Emergency Braking

Kazuki Fujita,Masahito Hitosugi,Mamiko Sato,Ryo Sakai,Yasutaka Kobayashi,Tomoki Ogawa,Kaori Kawabata,Hideaki Hori,Tomonari Sugano

doi:10.3390/healthcare9070852

Kazuki Fujita, Masahito Hitosugi + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9070852

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Abstract

Age-related decline in lower limb motor control may cause errors in pedal operation when driving a car. This study aimed to clarify the kinematics and electrophysiological characteristics of the pedal-switching operation associated with emergency braking in the case of elderly drivers. The participants in this study consisted of 11 young drivers and 10 elderly drivers. An experimental pedal was used, and the muscle activity and kinematic data during braking action were analyzed using the light from a light-emitting diode installed in the front as a trigger. The results showed that elderly drivers took the same time from viewing the visual stimulus to releasing the accelerator pedal as younger drivers, but took longer to switch to the brake pedal. The elderly drivers had higher soleus muscle activity throughout the process, from accelerator release to brake contact; furthermore, the rectus femoris activity was delayed, and the simultaneous activity between the rectus femoris and biceps femoris was low. Furthermore, elderly drivers tended to have low hip adduction velocity and tended to switch pedals by hip internal rotation. Thus, the alteration in joint movements and muscle activity of elderly drivers can reduce their pedal operability and may be related to the occurrence of pedal errors.

Highlights

A study of the major causes of fatal motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in Japan in 2018 showed that for drivers under the age of 75 years, the major cause of MVCs was a lack of attention in the driving direction and unconfirmed safety, whereas for drivers older than75 years, improper operation was the major cause [1]
Two young drivers and one elderly driver had a history of pedal error, and one elderly person had a history of falls
For the average reaction time of three braking actions, the elderly drivers were significantly delayed over the entire phase (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 0.061–0.163) and the switch phase (p = 0.007; 95% CI: 0.027–0.152) compared with the young, but there was no significant difference in the release phase (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

A study of the major causes of fatal motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in Japan in 2018 showed that for drivers under the age of 75 years, the major cause of MVCs was a lack of attention in the driving direction and unconfirmed safety, whereas for drivers older than75 years, improper operation was the major cause [1]. A study of the major causes of fatal motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in Japan in 2018 showed that for drivers under the age of 75 years, the major cause of MVCs was a lack of attention in the driving direction and unconfirmed safety, whereas for drivers older than. The American Medical Association guidelines state that driving a car safely requires the following three functional elements: vision, cognition, and motor functions [2]. In. Japan, elderly drivers over 75 years of age are required to undergo a cognitive function test in addition to a vision test when renewing their license. As switching from the accelerator to the brake pedal of a car is a simple action, the influence of cognitive function is regarded as being small. Pedal errors are characterized by back-pedal hooks (foot catching the underside or side of the brake pedal when transitioning from accelerator), incorrect trajectories, uncertain foot wags, misses, slips, and other behaviors [6]

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