THE EFFECT OF WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION ON A VISUAL PERFORMANCE TASK

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Abstract
The effect of whole-body vibration upon a task requiring the reading of printed numbers has been investigated at two levels of peak-to-peak acceleration of ½g and lg over a frequency range of 5 to 37 cps. Head movement in the vertical plane was measured during performance of the visual task. Movement of the head showed progressive attenuation as frequency of vibration was increased, the transmission factor being approximately 100 per cent at 5 cps and 10 per cent at 37 cps. Changes in frequency of vibration had considerable effects on visual performance, e.g. similar amounts of deterioration in visual performance being produced at head movements of 0.200 in. and 0.0006 in. at 5 and 37 cps respectively. These results support previous theories of resonance of eyeball and/or facial tissue to account for the impairment of vision found with very small head movements in the upper frequencies. Changes in amplitude of head movement appeared to have more effect at the lower and middle frequencies (7-19 cps) than at 27 cps. This also was in accordance with previous theory.

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