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1

Combining Psychophysical Measures of Discomfort and Electromyography for the Evaluation of a New Automotive Seating Concept

Kolich M., Taboun S. M.

International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics

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2002

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Vol. 8, No. 4

483--496

EN

The purpose of this study was to determine if the advantages and disadvantages of a new automotive seating concept, known as the micro-adjuster control system, could be reliably evaluated using both a physiological assessment technique (i.e., electromyography [EMG]) and a subjective questionnaire. The results indicate that psychophysical measures of discomfort and the root mean squared (RMS) activity of the EMG are statistically related, r (8) = –.788, p=.020. More specifically, subjective perceptions of comfort were found to improve with decreasing levels of muscle activity. This implies that seat comfort can be evaluated on the basis of physiological as well as subjective responses to prolonged driving. This finding should drastically improve automobile seat design efforts.

2

An Evaluation of the NIOSH Lifting Equation: A Psychophysical and Biomechanical Investigation

Elfeituri F. E., Taboun S. M.

International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics

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2002

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Vol. 8, No. 2

243--258

EN

Using the results of psychophysical and biomechanical experiments, NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Recommended Weight Limit (RWL), the Lifting Index (LI), the form of the asymmetry multiplier, and the criterion for compression force were investigated. Analysis of the results indicated a significant difference between the NIOSH RWL and the reported Maximum Acceptable Weight of Lift (MAWL). Contrary to the NIOSH lifting equation, the form of the asymmetry multiplier was found to be non-linear. The overall average of peak compression force on the L5/S1 was 3685 N. Fifty-eight percent of all compression forces reported in the biomechanical experiment were found to exceed the suggested 3400 N set by NIOSH guidelines. These results support previous research findings on the validity of NIOSH guidelines.

3

Low Back Muscle Activity in an Automobile Seat with a Lumbar Massage System

Kolich M., Taboun S. M., Mohamed A. I.

International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics

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2000

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Vol. 6, No. 1

113--128

EN

This investigation was conducted to determine the effects of a massaging lumbar support system on low back muscle activity. The apparatus included a luxury-level automobile seat, six 10-mm diameter bipolar surface electrodes, an amplifier, an anaiog-to-digital conversion board, data acquisition software, and a personal computer. Six experimental conditions, each involving a variation of massage time, were considered. The dependent variable was the change in the root mean square variation of the EMG signal. One minute of lumbar massage every 5 min was found to have a beneficial effect on low back muscle activity (as compared to no massage). This may prove to be an extremely important result in the quest to combat low back pain attributable to automobile seating.