Standing balance of vehicle passengers: the effect of vehicle motion, task performance on post-drive balance

Abstract Background Motion platforms and driving simulators have been shown to contribute to motion sickness and a short-term increase in standing postural sway. However, no studies to date have investigated how motion of a passenger vehicle and the performance of a task during a drive on a closed test track affects post-drive standing balance. Research Questions What are the effects of (1) a continuous, scripted drive on a closed test track, and (2) the performance of a handheld tablet-based task during the scripted drive, on post-drive standing balance? Methods Fifty adults (23 males, 27 females; 40.0 ± 20.6 yr.) rode in the front passenger seat of a midsized sedan on a scripted drive. Participants were assigned to one of the acceleration levels (Low, Moderate) and completed both Task and No-Task test conditions, involving a visual-based task on a handheld tablet device. Before and after each scripted drive, participants completed two standing balance exercises: 1) feet tandem, eyes open, on firm support, and 2) feet together, eyes closed, on foam support. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) captured estimates of postural trunk sway. Root-mean-square (RMS) of angular position and velocity in the anteroposterior (A/P) and mediolateral (M/L) directions, and elliptical fit and path length of sway trajectory were computed. A nonparametric analysis was performed on balance metrics. Results Exposure to a scripted drive in a vehicle affected participants’ postural sway, especially after using a handheld device during the drive. M/L RMS sway velocity and path length increased for both exercises following the scripted drive with task. Additionally, M/L RMS sway increased for the more challenging balance exercise, during which participants stood with feet together on foam support with eyes closed. Significance This study is the first to explore balance following a scripted drive on a closed test track. Changes in post-drive balance introduces potential risks to vehicle passengers; concurrent performance of a task on a handheld device further increases the likelihood that post-drive balance will be negatively affected.