Measurement and evaluation of human exposure to vibration transmitted to hand-arm system during leisure cyclist activity

Abstract

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.

Scottish cycling pavement assessment using hand–arm vibration exposure

“…The measurement and evaluation of human exposure to hand-arm vibration in relation to the pavement surface type has been examined in previous literature. Gomes and Savionek (2014) conducted hand-arm vibration exposure on three pavement surface types: asphalt, precast concrete and interlocking concrete blocks. Using a tri-axial piezoelectric accelerometer fixed to the handle bars, daily exposure to vibration (A(8)) for a daily duration of exposure of two hours (T=2 hrs) was considered to represent an average exposure time for leisure cycling purposes.…”

Elite mountain bike enduro competition: a study of rider hand-arm vibration exposure

“…Results showed that the handlebar and fork were the main contributors of vibration induced at the hands, whilst the frame and wheels were the main components associated with vibration induced at the buttocks of the cyclist (Lépine et al 2015). Gomes and Savionek (2014) conducted hand-arm vibration exposure assessment on a range of pavement surfaces including asphalt, precast concrete and interlocking concrete blocks.…”

Vibration Characterization of the Human Knee Joint in Audible Frequencies

“…The maximum input acceleration over the course of measurement was 5 m/s 2 , which is far below the safe threshold defined by International Standard Organization (ISO 5349-1:2011) for exposure to vibration for less than 5 min. [ 26 ]. The transverse movement of the shaker head relative to the skin was constrained using a three-dimensional (3D) printed component, fixed on the tibia with an elastic band, minimizing the effects of lateral motion [ 18 ].…”