Abstract
To explore how individual characteristics influence selected lumbar support prominence (LSP), seated lumbar flexion, seatback average pressure, contact area, and center of pressure (CoP) location before and after 1 hr of driving. An LSP can alter posture and may reduce low back pain during prolonged driving. Although LSP preference varies across individuals and may change over time, few investigations have explored the time-varying response to individually selected adjustable seat parameters. Forty individuals selected LSP settings in an automotive seat through a series of systematic adjustment trials. The average LSP setting was fixed for a 1-hr driving simulation, followed by one final adjustment trial. Regressions were performed between individual characteristics and selected LSP, lumbar posture, and measures of seatback pressure from the initial adjustment trials. ANOVAs were performed to determine the effect of time and sex on these dependent variables. Discomfort was also monitored throughout the protocol. Individual's standing lumbar lordosis, selected LSP, and height and mass were significant predictors for seated lumbar flexion, seatback average pressure, and contact area, respectively. Discomfort levels remained low; however, following the driving protocol, individuals altered their posture to decrease lumbar flexion and increase seatback average pressure without significant adjustments to the LSP. These findings highlight individual characteristics to consider in automotive seat design and that the method for determining LSP settings may facilitate appropriate LSP selection. A systematic method to determine LSP settings may reduce discomfort and automate seat adjustments, such that only short-term postural adjustments may be required.
Highlights
lumbar support prominence (LSP) preference varies across individuals and may change over time, few investigations have explored the time-varying response to individually selected adjustable seat parameters
Discomfort levels remained low; following the driving protocol, individuals altered their posture to decrease lumbar flexion and increase seatback average pressure without significant adjustments to the LSP. These findings highlight individual characteristics to consider in automotive seat design and that the method for determining LSP settings may facilitate appropriate LSP selection
The Ratings of perceived discomfort (RPDs) remained low throughout the protocol with average scores for all body areas analyzed below 3 mm on the 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS)
Summary
There is an established association between low back pain development and time spent driving (Alperovitch-Najenson et al, 2010; Anderson, 1992; Bovenzi, 2010; Chen et al, 2005; Gyi & Porter, 1998; Mendelek et al, 2011; Okunribido et al, 2007; Plouvier et al, 2008; Porter & Gyi, 2002; Robb & Mansfield, 2007), likely in part due to prolonged exposure to sitting. Compared to standing, sitting leads to flexion of the lumbar spine, resulting in posterior pelvic rotation and loss of the lumbar lordosis (De Carvalho et al, 2010; Endo et al, 2012; Keegan, 1953) This increase in lumbar flexion is linked to increased intradiscal pressure (Adams & Hutton, 1985; Andersson et al, 1974; Wilke et al, 1999), posterior migration of the nucleus pulposus (Alexander et al, 2007), increased strain on passive tissues (Dunk & Callaghan, 2002; McGill & Brown, 1992), and altered erector muscle fiber orientation (Pinto et al, 2021). LSP preference varies across individuals and may change over time, few investigations have explored the time-varying response to individually selected adjustable seat parameters
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