ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the proper hand position during driving by measuring of the wheel rotation strength according to the wheel angle and hand position to the wheel. METHOD: BTE Work Simulator was used to measure the clockwise and counter clockwise static wheel rotation force of twenty healthy men in three different hand position (2~10 spot, 3~9 spot, and 4~8 spot) and two different wheel angle (45 degrees and 60 degrees), average and peak force were measured during maximal isometric contraction. RESULTS: The average and peak force was significantly different by the wheel angle, and hand position (p<0.01), but the direction of rotation didn't an effect on the rotation force. The hand position was the most significant factor, especially wheel rotation force at 2~10 spot hand position was significantly lower than that of 3~9 spot and 4~8 spot (p<0.05). The rotation force by the wheel angle was influenced by hand position, and lower in 60 degrees wheel angle in the 2~10 spot (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The rotation force of wheel was influenced by the hand position. Therefore proper hand position is recommended during driving to reduce muscle fatigue.