Gender Differences in Occupant Posture and Muscle Activity with Motorized Seat Belts

摘要: The aim of this study was to assess gender differences in the posture and muscular activity occupants response pretension from motorized seatbelts. Male female vehicle were tested both front seat positions during normal driving autonomous braking. This data is useful for development human body models (HBM), increases understanding effects belts. Kinematics electromyography (EMG) analyzed 18 volunteers (9 male, 9 female) subjected braking (11 m/s2 deceleration) real on rural roads. Two restraint configurations tested: a standard belt belt, activated 240 ms before initiation Statistical comparison volunteers’ normalized EMG amplitudes performed understand incurred by belts, as well compare across role (occupant position within vehicle). Data prior at deceleration, which occurred after onset. Motorized belts significantly affected all postural metrics, elevated muscles compared typical riding. Though muscle small deceleration onset with riding male passengers, drivers demonstrated larger activity: between 5 13% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). At onset, showed little change or activation, median changes being ranges exhibited groups (i.e. not distinguishable riding). Typical postures males females similar, activation levels—generally less than 5% MVC. However, higher arm shoulder passengers. Limitations include repeated nature testing, work has shown that habituation trials alters occupant unaware occupants. randomization trial order helped mitigate potential effects. Another limitation sample size volunteers. An important finding increase seen gender-specific: most different type, exhibiting passengers either gender, particularly muscles. These activations appeared be startle responses, may have implications interactions steering wheel motion crash event. warrants further studies stresses importance quantifying subjects separately future pre-crash systems.