The Effect of Different Road Types on Timber Truck Drivers by Assessing the Load Environment of Drivers by Monitoring Changes in Muscle Tension

Abstract

Our research aimed to quantify stress load in drivers by monitoring the load on the radial extensor carpi radialis (musculus extensor carpi radialis) on different types of forest and other categories of roads. We observed changes in the electrical potential of skeletal muscles using electromyographic measurements and changes in heart rate using a Biofeedback2000 x-pert recorder. We measured the loading of drivers during the normal operation of timber trucks and timber trucks with trailers, while the reference measurements took place in a passenger car. We obtained descriptive statistics from the individual measurements and evaluated the normality of the measured data. Differences in muscle load increased when driving on lower-grade roads. The muscle load increased significantly, especially when passing through villages, inversely proportional to the width of the roads and the radius of their bends. Experiments revealed that the drivers of loaded vehicles who drove on lower-grade roads were under higher stress. Muscle load of drivers a loaded timber truck with a trailer was more difficult on roads of lower grades than on roads of grade I by 41.3%. Driving a timber truck is 21.9% more difficult on lower grade roads than on grade I roads. For preventive health and safety reasons, it is optimal to alternate trucking with a different type of work, thus minimizing the chance of occurrence of health disabilities.