THE EFFECT OF LOW FREQUENCY, HIGH AMPLITUDE, WHOLE BODY, LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE VIBRATION UPON HUMAN PERFORMANCE

Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of horizontal (transverse and longitudinal) vibration upon the seated human being. Such vibration is typically found in ground vehicles. The transverse (side-to-side) vibration experiment utilized frequencies from 1.5 to 5.5 cps, with intensities of 0.15, 0.25, and 0.35 g. Measures were taken before, during, and following vibration exposure. The longitudinal (fore-aft) vibration experiment utilized the same frequencies with intensities of 0.15, 0.25, and 0.30 g. Measures taken during both experiments were of: compensatory tracking ability, choice reaction time, foot pressure constancy, peripheral vision, visual acuity, body equilibrium, bodily transmissibility, oxygen consumption, breathing rate and total ventilation. The results indicate that transverse and longitudinal, whole-body vibration does affect tracking ability, choice reaction time, foot pressure constancy, and peripheral vision, with some performance decrements being related to specific frequencies and to intensity increments. Visual acuity and body equilibrium were not affected. Performance decrements, transmissibility, and respiratory effects are related and discussed.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: