Assessment of hand-arm vibration exposure among traffic police motorcyclists

Abstract

The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate subjective symptoms in the hand-arm system of all traffic police motorcyclists of a city located in the central part of Japan and (2) to assess their hand-arm vibration exposure associated with traffic police motorcycle riding. The study population consisted of 119 motorcycling traffic policemen and 49 male controls. By means of a questionnaire, information on the occupational history and the presence of subjective symptoms in the hand-arm system of all subjects was obtained. Vibration was measured on the handlebars of the representative motorcycles and on the hands of the riders. The 4- and 8-h energy-equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration as well as the lifetime vibration dose were calculated for all police motorcyclists. The prevalence of finger blanching in the traffic police motorcyclists was 4.2%, but none of the controls had this symptom. The rates of finger numbness (19.3%), finger stiffness (16.0%), shoulder pain (13.4%), and shoulder stiffness (45.4%) were significantly higher among police motorcyclists as compared with controls. The root-mean-square (rms) frequency-weighted acceleration on the handlebars of police motorcycles was in the range of 2.2-4.9 m/s2 rms. The computed 4- and 8-h energy-equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration values were 2.8-4.5 and 2.0-3.2 m/s2 rms, respectively. A pattern of increasing percentage prevalence with increasing cumulative vibration dose was noticed. The subjects with a lifetime vibration dose of more than 20.1 m2 h3 s-4 (in scale) showed significantly higher prevalence rates for symptoms in the fingers and shoulders as compared with the control group. As occupational vibration exposure of traffic police motorcyclists might be considered a risk factor for the development of symptoms in the hand-arm system of the riders, its evaluation and control is needed for prevention methodology evolution.

The Enduro motorcyclist's wrist and other overuse injuries in competitive Enduro motorcyclists: a prospective study

“…Additionally, clinical evidence for a CTS was found in nearly 40% of the tested athletes. Mirbod et al (1997) also registered a high incidence of CTS in police officers riding motorcycles. We agree with Mirbod et al (1997) in that motorcycling is likely to affect the median nerve.…”

“…According to Mirbod et al (1997), exposure to the vibrations of a motorcycle engine for more than 5.5 h/day increases the risk of overuse syndromes in the upper extremity.…”

“…A common complaint among motorcyclists is numbness in the fingers innervated by the median nerve, and white fingers after exposure to vibrations caused by the motor, also known as the Raynaud syndrome. Mirbod et al (1997) recorded overuse syndromes of the upper extremity in 119 police officers who routinely used motorcycles (5.7 h/day). These individuals were compared with a control group who were not exposed to vibrations.…”

A numerical study for determining the ideal operating speed for a two-wheeler rider on varying terrain amplitudes

“…It was concluded that such high intensity vibration can be reduced by providing a standard type suspension to the tractor seat. Mirbod et al [4] analyzed the assessment of hand-arm vibration exposure among traffic police motorcyclists with an objective to evaluate subjective symptoms in the hand-arm system of all traffic police motorcyclists of the city located in the central part of Japan. The aim was to assess hand-arm vibration exposure associated with traffic police motorcycle riding.…”

A case report of vibration-induced hand comorbidities in a postwoman

“…However, little is known on signs and symptoms related to segmental vibration exposure in motorcyclists[11]. …”