PUB LDS 905 The prevalence of musculoskeletal troubles.pdf (122.19 kB)
Download fileThe prevalence of musculoskeletal troubles among car drivers
In order to explore the relationship between car driving and musculoskeletal
troubles, a cross-sectional structured-interview survey of low to high mileage
drivers (including individuals who drove as part of their job) was conducted
based on the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The results clearly showed
that exposure to car driving was associated with reported sickness absence due to
low back trouble and that those who drive as part of their job appear to be more at
risk from low back trouble than those whose jobs primarily involve sitting (not
driving) and standing activities. The frequency of reported discomfort also
increased with higher annual mileage. In addition, drivers of cars with more
adjustable driving packages had fewer reported musculoskeletal troubles. This
identifies an urgent need for the training of managers of fleet vehicles in the
importance of developing measures to reduce this problem. For example, the
selection of an individual's car with respect to comfort and postural criteria.
Funding
The authors would like to acknowledge the Brite-Euram European Initiative (Project 5549) who funded this research. Loughborough University was one of several European based partners in the consortium (which also included car manufacturers and seat designers) whose joint objective was to improve car seat design.
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