Three-dimensional vibration transmission through the upper limb when performing reaching movements in vehicle

Abstract

Whole body vibration (WBV) transmission to vehicle occupants is a function of both vibration characteristics and human posture/movement. The majority of earlier studies investigating biomechanical responses to WBV have considered only a static posture. However, vibration transmission can be affected by dynamic movements when reaching in vehicle and may be transmitted in three-dimension (3D). This study investigates vibration transmission to the upper extremities with changes in posture/movement along the intended reach trajectory under selected sinusoidal WBV conditions. In biodynamic WBV experiments, 21 subjects performed a reaching task to targets located in the right hemisphere under vibration exposure. Intermediate targets were also placed in the expected trajectories of hand movements. 3D biodynamic responses are characterised as a function of upper body posture. This study establishes the empirical database necessary to support a biodynamic model taking into consideration human activity to predict reaching performance under WBV exposure.