Measurement and evaluation of human exposure to vibration transmitted to hand-arm system during leisure cyclist activity
Gomes, Herbert Martins; Savionek, Daniel
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1517-3151.0546
Rev. Bras. Eng. Bioméd., vol.30, n4, p.291-300, 2014
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Abstract
Introduction: The cycling activity has increased in recent years, either as a means of leisure or physical activity
or as means of transport. Discomfort is one of the main complaints for cyclists, especially when related to the
type o pavement they use while riding. This work presents a study of measurement and evaluation of human
exposure to hand-arm vibration in the leisure cyclist activity in different pavements in order to classify according
to vibration discomfort and to vibration injury risk. Methods: Vibration measurements are performed for three
pavement types, asphalt (AS), precast concrete slab (PC), and interlocking concrete blocks (BI), using two
bicycle models (time trial speed racing bike, S and mountain bike, MB), and cyclists with different physical
characteristics. It is performed a quantitative analysis of each confi guration – pavement type × bike model ×
cyclist – where the daily vibration exposure A(8) is evaluated, as defi ned in ISO 5349-1 Standard, for 2h daily
exposure. It is also evaluated the maximum daily exposure in order to reach limit values, as defi ned by Directive
2002/44/EC. Results: Based on a subjective analysis (survey), it is evaluated the comfort degree for vibration
exposure for each tested pavement, according to a survey within cyclists. Finally, the results are compared
using both quantitative and subjective analysis. Conclusions: Not surprisingly, it has been noticed that the
most comfortable pavement type is the asphalt pavement (AS), followed by the precast concrete pavement
(PC) and by the interlocking concrete blocks pavement (BI), confi rming the opinion pool within cyclists. As
a new fi nding, for some pavement types, bikes and daily journey activities, the vibration levels may reach
health limit levels which justify the originality of the work and the importance as guidance for healthy public
decisions for new cycle paths.
Keywords
Vibration measurement in bicycles, Pavement to cycle paths, Hand-arm vibration, Human
exposure to vibration.