Relationships Between Wholebody Vibration and Morbidity Patterns Among Interstate Truck Drivers

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Relationships Between Wholebody Vibration and Morbidity Patterns Among Interstate Truck Drivers

G. J. Gruber

The hypotheses that certain physical disorders develop with undue frequency among interstate truck drivers and that some of this excess morbidity is due in part to the whole body vibration factor of their job, have been tested by extracting and comparing morbidity data available for active interstate truck drivers and sedentary comparison groups. Biodynamic strain, microtrauma, and intraluminal/intra-abdominal pressure fluctuations produced by truck vibrations are postulated as being at least partially responsible for the development of certain musculoskeletal, digestive, and circulatory disorders among interstate truck drivers with more than 15 years of service. The combined effects of forced body posture, cargo handling, and improper eating habits along with whole body vibration cannot be ruled out in considering contributory factors for such truck-driver disorders as vertebrogenic pain syndromes, spine deformities, sprains and strains, appendicitis, stomach troubles, and hemorrhoids.