Research on Simultaneous Impact of Hand–Arm and Whole-Body Vibration

Abstract

This article presents the results of laboratory tests on the combined effect of whole-body vibration (WBV) and hand–arm vibration (HAV). The reactions of subjects exposed to various combinations of vibration were recorded. The vibrotactile perception threshold (VPT) test identified changes caused by exposure to vibration. Ten male subjects met the criteria of the study. There were 4 series of tests: a reference test and tests after exposure to HAV, WBV, and after simultaneous exposure to HAV and WBV. An analysis of the results (6000 ascending and descending VPTs) showed that the changes in VPTs were greatest after simultaneous exposure to both kinds of vibration. The increase in VPT, for all stimulus frequencies, was then higher than after exposure to HAV or WBV only.

Keywords:

• vibrotactile perception
• hand–arm vibration
• whole-body vibration
• combined exposure