Overview
Keywords: Occupational biomechanics; driving; seated work; musculoskeletal injuries; injury prevention
Timeline: September 2014 - present
Researchers: Michelle Rae (Co-Principal Investigator and student researcher, University of New Brunswick), Colin McKinnon (Co-Principal Investigator and student researcher, University of Waterloo), Wayne Albert (University of New Brunswick), Jack Callaghan (University of Waterloo)
Funder: CRE-MSD
Project type: Seed grant
Sector/Workplace type: Transportation
Theme:
Theme
1
Mechanisms
Theme
4
Interventions
Background/rationale
Truck drivers have a high prevalence for the development of low back pain (LBP) due to prolonged driving. This research will evaluate driver seat features and contribute to a new seat prototype that may help prevent or reduce LBP while driving. The expected outcome is to ensure that the key seat features and configurations of a prototype promotes improved posture and driving performance with the eventual goal of reducing high rates of musculoskeletal injuries in this industry seen at the national and international level.
Research question/objectives/methods
The aim of this project is to investigate whether an ergonomic truck seat design can promote a healthy work posture during prolonged truck driving and reduce the potential for LBP.
Field and laboratory research will be conducted to evaluate the potential physical, neuromuscular and ergonomic benefits of using a new seat prototype. This research will provide field documentation of the specific demands of truck drivers (focusing on the seated posture and collateral task demands), assessment of the impact of altering seat design features during a lab simulation, and will ultimately lead to a trial implementation of the developed prototype in a field trial.
Key findings
In progress
Implications for the prevention of MSD
In progress
Knowledge dissemination
In progress