Investigating the Effects of Backrest Angle on Driver Erector Spinae Muscle Fatigue During Long Drives: A Preliminary Study

Long hours of driving in a seated position often lead to muscle fatigue and discomfort, particularly in the lower back. Muscle fatigue, characterized by decreased muscle performance, is a significant concern for drivers as it impacts comfort and potentially compromises safety. Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a valuable tool for objectively assessing muscle fatigue by monitoring real-time muscle activity during driving. This paper explores the use of sEMG to evaluate back muscle fatigue while driving for 144 km at backrest angles of 90° and 100°. The study synthesizes current research on quantifying muscular fatigue and assessing the impact of different backrest angles on muscle activation and fatigue onset. Increasing root mean square (RMS) and declining mean frequency (MNF) and median frequency (MDF) typically indicate muscle fatigue. Based on this study involving three subjects and six trials, inconsistent trends in MNF and MDF were observed, with high measurement variability. A better understanding of these dynamics will contribute to guidelines for optimizing backrest angles, reducing muscle fatigue, and enhancing overall driver comfort and safety.