Kinematic and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Pedal Operation by Elderly Drivers during Emergency Braking
Age-related decline in lower limb motor control may cause errors in pedal operation when driving a car. This study aimed to clarify the kinematics and electrophysiological characteristics of the pedal-switching operation associated with emergency braking in the case of elderly drivers. The participa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Healthcare |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/7/852 |
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| author | Kazuki Fujita Yasutaka Kobayashi Mamiko Sato Hideaki Hori Ryo Sakai Tomoki Ogawa Tomonari Sugano Kaori Kawabata Masahito Hitosugi |
| author_facet | Kazuki Fujita Yasutaka Kobayashi Mamiko Sato Hideaki Hori Ryo Sakai Tomoki Ogawa Tomonari Sugano Kaori Kawabata Masahito Hitosugi |
| author_sort | Kazuki Fujita |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Age-related decline in lower limb motor control may cause errors in pedal operation when driving a car. This study aimed to clarify the kinematics and electrophysiological characteristics of the pedal-switching operation associated with emergency braking in the case of elderly drivers. The participants in this study consisted of 11 young drivers and 10 elderly drivers. An experimental pedal was used, and the muscle activity and kinematic data during braking action were analyzed using the light from a light-emitting diode installed in the front as a trigger. The results showed that elderly drivers took the same time from viewing the visual stimulus to releasing the accelerator pedal as younger drivers, but took longer to switch to the brake pedal. The elderly drivers had higher soleus muscle activity throughout the process, from accelerator release to brake contact; furthermore, the rectus femoris activity was delayed, and the simultaneous activity between the rectus femoris and biceps femoris was low. Furthermore, elderly drivers tended to have low hip adduction velocity and tended to switch pedals by hip internal rotation. Thus, the alteration in joint movements and muscle activity of elderly drivers can reduce their pedal operability and may be related to the occurrence of pedal errors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:38:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-76d4b4269d4f466ea2a43341391d2aa4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:38:17Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-76d4b4269d4f466ea2a43341391d2aa42023-11-22T03:52:22ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322021-07-019785210.3390/healthcare9070852Kinematic and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Pedal Operation by Elderly Drivers during Emergency BrakingKazuki Fujita0Yasutaka Kobayashi1Mamiko Sato2Hideaki Hori3Ryo Sakai4Tomoki Ogawa5Tomonari Sugano6Kaori Kawabata7Masahito Hitosugi8Graduate School of Health Science, Fukui Health Science University, Fukui 910-3190, JapanGraduate School of Health Science, Fukui Health Science University, Fukui 910-3190, JapanDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fukui General Hospital, Fukui 910-8561, JapanGraduate School of Health Science, Fukui Health Science University, Fukui 910-3190, JapanDepartment of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Science, Fukui Health Science University, Fukui 910-3190, JapanDepartment of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation, Fukui General Hospital, Fukui 910-8561, JapanDepartment of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Science, Fukui Health Science University, Fukui 910-3190, JapanGraduate School of Health Science, Fukui Health Science University, Fukui 910-3190, JapanDepartment of Legal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu 520-2192, JapanAge-related decline in lower limb motor control may cause errors in pedal operation when driving a car. This study aimed to clarify the kinematics and electrophysiological characteristics of the pedal-switching operation associated with emergency braking in the case of elderly drivers. The participants in this study consisted of 11 young drivers and 10 elderly drivers. An experimental pedal was used, and the muscle activity and kinematic data during braking action were analyzed using the light from a light-emitting diode installed in the front as a trigger. The results showed that elderly drivers took the same time from viewing the visual stimulus to releasing the accelerator pedal as younger drivers, but took longer to switch to the brake pedal. The elderly drivers had higher soleus muscle activity throughout the process, from accelerator release to brake contact; furthermore, the rectus femoris activity was delayed, and the simultaneous activity between the rectus femoris and biceps femoris was low. Furthermore, elderly drivers tended to have low hip adduction velocity and tended to switch pedals by hip internal rotation. Thus, the alteration in joint movements and muscle activity of elderly drivers can reduce their pedal operability and may be related to the occurrence of pedal errors.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/7/852motor vehicle collisionscar drivingpedal errorelectromyographymotor control |
| spellingShingle | Kazuki Fujita Yasutaka Kobayashi Mamiko Sato Hideaki Hori Ryo Sakai Tomoki Ogawa Tomonari Sugano Kaori Kawabata Masahito Hitosugi Kinematic and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Pedal Operation by Elderly Drivers during Emergency Braking Healthcare motor vehicle collisions car driving pedal error electromyography motor control |
| title | Kinematic and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Pedal Operation by Elderly Drivers during Emergency Braking |
| title_full | Kinematic and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Pedal Operation by Elderly Drivers during Emergency Braking |
| title_fullStr | Kinematic and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Pedal Operation by Elderly Drivers during Emergency Braking |
| title_full_unstemmed | Kinematic and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Pedal Operation by Elderly Drivers during Emergency Braking |
| title_short | Kinematic and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Pedal Operation by Elderly Drivers during Emergency Braking |
| title_sort | kinematic and electrophysiological characteristics of pedal operation by elderly drivers during emergency braking |
| topic | motor vehicle collisions car driving pedal error electromyography motor control |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/7/852 |
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