Abstract
Whole body vibration (WBV) exposure is recognised as a risk factor to the high prevalence of spinal musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) experienced by farmers. The purpose of this study was to identify self-reported predictors that could be used to develop statistical models for WBV exposure (expressed as A8rms and VDV) in farmers operating agricultural quad bikes. Data were collected in the field from 130 farmers. Linear mixed effects modeling was used to determine the models of best fit. The prediction model for A8rms exposure (explaining 57% of the variance) included farmer age, estimated quad bike driving hours on day of testing and the type of quad bike rear suspension (rigid-axle rear suspension with two shock absorbers). The best model for VDV exposure (explaining 33% of the variance) included farmer age, estimated quad bike driving hours on day of testing and the type of quad bike rear suspension (rigid-axle rear suspension with two shock absorbers). In large epidemiological studies of spinal MSDs, these models would provide an acceptable indication of WBV without the costs of direct measurement.
Highlights
Farmers have a high prevalence of spinal musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that can impact on work practice, job satisfaction, and production [1,2,3]
Participants completed a self-report questionnaire adapted from the Whole Body Vibration Health Surveillance Questionnaire (WBVHSQ) [25] regarding the farm environment, quad bike vehicle specifications, driving behaviours, and general demographic information
The current study developed statistical models that can be used to predict agricultural quad bike Whole body vibration (WBV)
Summary
Farmers have a high prevalence of spinal musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that can impact on work practice, job satisfaction, and production [1,2,3]. Whole body vibration (WBV) exposure from vehicle and machinery operation is recognised as a contributing factor to neck and low back MSDs [4,5,6,7,8], as well as a number of other adverse health effects [8,9,10,11]. WBV exposure when operating tractors and quad bikes [13,14], posing a substantial risk for spinal. With an estimated 80,000 quad bikes in use on New Zealand farms [16] and 220,000 in use in Australia [17], identifying WBV exposure levels would allow for more targeted intervention and preventative measures to reduce neck and low back MSDs
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