[Purpose] This research analyzed how seat distance and gender affect maximal torque and
muscle strength when driving to present base data for the optimal driving posture.
[Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 27 college students in their 20's, 15 males and
12 females. After had been measured, the subjects sat in front of a steering wheel with
the distance between the steering wheel and the seat set in turns. at 50, 70, and 90%
their arm length, and the maximal torque and muscle strength were measured. [Results] Both
the maximal torque and muscle strength were found to be greater in male subjects than
female subjects whether they turned the steering wheel clockwise or counterclockwise. The
difference was big enough to be statistically significant. Maximal torque was greatest
when the seat distance was 50% of arm length, whether turning the steering wheel clockwise
or counterclockwise. There were statistically significant differences in maximal torque
between seat distances of 50 and 70% and 90% of the arm length. Muscle strength, in
contrast, was found to be the greatest at a seat distance of 70% of arm length.
[Conclusion] We conclude that greater torque can be obtained when the steering wheel is
nearer the seat while greater muscle strength can be obtained when the seat distance from
the steering wheel is 70% of the arm length.