Recent Advances in Biodynamics of Human Hand-Arm System

Abstract

The biodynamics of human hand-arm system is one of the most important foundations for the measurement, evaluation, and risk assessment of hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) exposure. This paper presents a new conceptual model relating factors influencing cause-effect relationships for HTV exposure, a new study strategy, and a comprehensive review of the recent advances in the biodynamics closely associated with HTV exposure. The review covers the following five aspects: theoretical modeling of biodynamic responses, vibration transmissibility, driving-point biodynamic responses, evaluation of anti-vibration gloves, and applied forces. This review finds that some significant advances in each of these aspects have been achieved in the recent years. Several important issues and problems in the biodynamic measurement have been identified and resolved, which has significantly helped improve the reliability and accuracy of the experimental data. The results reported in recent years suggest that, from the point of view of biodynamics, the frequency weighting specified in ISO 5349-1 (2001) overestimates the low frequency effect but underestimates the high frequency effect on the fingers and hand. The major problems, issues, and topics for further studies are also outlined in this paper. It is anticipated that the further studies of the biodynamics of the system will eventually lead to establishment of a robust vibration exposure theory. Although this review focuses on the biodynamics of the hand-arm system, the fundamental concepts and some methodologies reviewed in this paper may also be applicable for the study of whole-body vibration exposure.

A Proposed Theory on Biodynamic Frequency Weighting for Hand-Transmitted Vibration Exposure

“…1, which is a revision of a previously proposed model 34) . As an elaboration of the conceptual model, Fig.…”

Energy Absorption of Seated Occupants Exposed to Horizontal Vibration and Role of Back Support Condition

“…The vibration hazard takes effect through the biodynamic response of the human body 17) . The vibration power absorbed (P Abs ) by the exposed body is a measure that combines both the vibration hazard and the biodynamic response of the body.…”

“…Mathematically, the absorbed power can be computed from the integration of the power absorption density, which is equivalent of the product of vibration-induced stress and the strain rate, over the volume of tissues involved in the biodynamic response, which includes the essential mechanical stimuli that cause the biological responses and adaptation 17) . It is thus reasonable to hypothesize that the power absorption is associated with the vibration-induced discomfort and some health effects.…”

Assessment of Vibration Produced by the Grinders Used in the Shipbuilding Industry of Korea

“…However, Korean national standard still adopts the earlier version of ISO 5349 3) . Introducing the recent version of ISO 4349 as a national standard should be examined soon, although there are some criticisms on the later version in that the frequency weighting overestimates the low frequency effect but underestimates the high frequency effect on the fingers and hand 7,8) . A wide range of objective tests to diagnose VWF has been tried.…”