Track: Human Factors and Ergonomics Competition

Abstract

Traffic police riders are exposed to prolonged static posture, causing significant angular deviation of body muscles, including lumbar angle (L1-L5). This postural alteration contributes to muscle discomfort, especially low back pain (LBP) since it is one of the most severe modern diseases nowadays. This study aims to develop a prototype (lumbar support with built-in massager system) of motorcycle seat for traffic police riders to precisely transform riders' need with comfort. There are three stages (Stage 1: Problem identification, Stage 2: Prototype development, and Stage 3: Prototype testing) involved in this study. A 100 mm visual analogue scale rating was used to assess the discomfort ratings of this prototype. The prototype testing showed good indicators in reducing riders' discomfort (31%) compared with the existing motorcycle seat. The majority of the items were statistically significant difference between the existing seat and prototype seat, namely the seat length, seat contour, vibration, physical design, tendency to slide, with/without lumbar support as well as massager, the pressure under the buttock, lower back, middle back, upper back, side of the body, buttock, and overall discomfort (p<0.05). A prototype (lumbar support with built-in massager system) does offer an alternative solution to improve motorcycle seat design ergonomically. It enhances the reduction of overall body discomfort on police riders. However, a further evaluation of the in-depth field, laboratory and clinical testing should be carried out to support the effectiveness of the prototype.