Analysis of Continuous Steering Movement Using a Motor-Based Quantification System

Sensors

Hsin-Min Lee³  Ping-Chia Li¹  Shyi-Kuen Wu² 

[1] Department of Occupational Therapy, I-Shou University, No.8, Yida Rd., Jiaosu Village, Yanchao District, Kaohsiung City 82445, Taiwan; E-Mail:;Department of Physical Therapy, HungKuang University, No. 1018, Sec. 6, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung City 43302, Taiwan; E-Mail:;Department of Physical Therapy, I-Shou University, No.8, Yida Rd., Jiaosu Village, Yanchao District, Kaohsiung City 82445, Taiwan; E-Mail:

关键词: continuous steering movement;    torque measurement;    hand contact information;    steering cycle;   

DOI  :  10.3390/s121216008

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Continuous steering movement (CSM) of the upper extremity (UE) is an essential component of steering movement during vehicle driving. This study presents an integrated approach to examine the force exertion and movement pattern during CSM. We utilized a concept similar to the isokinetic dynamometer to measure the torque profiles during 180°/s constant-velocity CSM. During a steering cycle, the extremity movement can be divided into stance and swing phases based upon the hand contact information measured from the hand switch devices. Data from twelve normal young adults (six males and six females) showed that there are three typical profiles of force exertion. The two hands exhibit similar time expenditures but with asymmetric force exertions and contact times in both the clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) steering cycles. Both hands contribute more force but with less contact time in their outward CSM directions (i.e., CW for the right hand and CCW for the left hand). These findings help us to further understand CSM and have a number of important implications for future practice in clinical training. Considerably more research is required to determine the roles of the various shoulder muscles during CSM at various speeds.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland