COMPARISON OF POSTUROGRAPHY ANALYSIS IN A FORMULA-3000 DRIVER AND IN SUBJECTS SUBMITIED TO LINEAR OSCILLATION

Authors

  • Guy Gosselin
  • Ivar Schenk
  • Jonathan Cook

Keywords:

driving, balance, linear oscillation, fatigue

Abstract

Driving a Formula car represents a highly demanding technical task during which the driver is submitted to large +/- G forces. Cervical muscular pain and discomfort are common complaints reported not only by rookies but also by more experienced drivers. We have previously observed that even imited track time produces significant changes in postural sway (Gosselin, 2000). Studies performed at racing tracks are not practical, are expensive and involve numerous variables that are difficult to control. The aim of this project was to compare the postural disturbances observed in a Formula3000 driver after track time to the postural disturbances in subjects submitted to linear oscillation in our laboratory. Linear oscillation is used to stimulate the somatosensory and vestibular system and more specifically the otholith since they are the primary receptors involved in the detection of linear oscillation (Hlavacka, 1996).

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