Ergonomic Evaluation of a New Truck Seat Design: A Field Study.

Ergonomic Evaluation of a New Truck Seat Design: A Field Study. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2017 Aug 16;:1-38 Authors: Cardoso M, Fulton F, McKinnon C, Callaghan JP, Johnson MJ, Albert WJ Abstract A postural evaluation of commercial licensed truck drivers was conducted to determine the ergonomic benefits of a truck seat prototype in comparison to an Industry standard seat. Twenty commercially licensed truck drivers were recruited to perform a 90-min driving task. Postures were assessed using accelerometers and a backrest and seat pan pressure mapping system. Subjective discomfort measurements were monitored using two questionnaires: ratings of perceived discomfort (RPD) and the automotive seating discomfort questionnaire (ASDQ). Participants reported significantly higher discomfort scores when sitting in the Industry standard seat. Participants sat with more lumbar lordosis and assumed a more extended thoracic posture when seated in the prototype. Pairing the gluteal backrest panel with the adjustable seat pan also helped reduce the average sitting pressure on both the seat pan and backrest. The prototype provided several postural benefits for commercially certified truck drivers as it did on a young and healthy population. PMID: 28812453 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics - Category: Occupational Health Tags: Int J Occup Saf Ergon Source Type: research