Abstract
Purpose
The present work aims to study the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) on bus fare collectors through the use of cognitive tests. It is of interest for all individuals working as bus fare collectors or any other activity where logic is of paramount importance and that is performed on a vibrating environment.
Methods
Laboratory simulations were performed in 24 volunteers employing a vibrating platform subjected to vertical vibration. The influence of WBV on cognition was assessed using the performance on a logic game. The frequencies used were 5 Hz and 30 Hz. The acceleration amplitude values were set up as 0.7 m/s2 and 0.2 m/s2. A daily commute was simulated, based on data of the public transport system in the city of Belo Horizonte. A vibration-free test was initially performed to serve as a basis for comparison.
Results
The data obtained in all situations were compared and statistically analyzed. At 5 Hz, variation only shows significant after 5 min of vibration ceased as if the residual effect had passed after 5 min of rest. The gender variable was not significant. However, the older the volunteer, the worse the performance. Regarding 30 Hz frequency, the hypotheses did not meet the condition of significance at 5% but showed an opposite tendency indicating, in this situation, a score increase. It is noticed that the female volunteers presented a better performance in relation to the male gender The residual effect lasts for less than 10 min for short exposure intervals, since the score of test 8, in 5 Hz and 30 Hz, show a reduction of performance.
Conclusions
From the results, it was possible to conclude that the frequency of 5 Hz may be related to reduced performance for long exposure times while the 30 Hz frequency has positive effects on cognition as the exposure time increases. In fact, it is a tendency much more than a clear statistical finding. Regarding comfort, most reports related to the frequency of 5 Hz are linked to the sensation of discomfort and difficulty in focusing visually, whereas, for the frequency of 30 Hz, the reports indicate a feeling of muscular comfort and increased easiness of concentration.
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Data may become available under request.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are most thankful to Dr. Conny Lin who made the work possible with the help of Rosetta Stone.
Funding
The research developed in this work was partially funded by FAPEMIG (Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais—Research Foundation of the Minas Gerais State) by means of a scholarship given to one of the authors.
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Firmino, S.G., Duarte, M.L.M., Neves, J.A.B. et al. Whole body vibration influence on bus fare collectors evaluated by using a brain training mobile app. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 94, 495–501 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-020-01601-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-020-01601-x