Prolonged driving could induce neuromuscular fatigue and discomfort since drivers have little opportunity to adjust their position. However, better car seat design could play a major role in limiting these effects. This study compared the effect of two different seats (S - soft and F - firm) on neuromuscular fatigue and driver's perceived discomfort during prolonged driving, also assessing the effect of different road types on neuromuscular activity. Twenty participants performed two 3-h driving sessions, one for each seat, on a static simulator. Every 20 min, participants self-evaluated their level of whole-body and individual body-area discomfort. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was recorded for eight muscles including Trapezius descendens (TD), Erector spinae longissimus (ESL), Multifidus (MF), Vastus lateralis (VL) and Tibialis anterior (TA) throughout the driving sessions. Moreover, an endurance static test (EST) was performed prior to and after each driving session. Whole-body discomfort increased with time with both seats, but no difference in discomfort scores was observed between seats throughout the driving sessions. The highest discomfort scores were for neck and lower back areas with both seats. Neuromuscular fatigue was revealed by a shorter endurance time in post-driving EST for both seats. EMG recordings showed different neuromuscular fatigue profiles for the two seats, with earlier onset of fatigue for S. Despite the lack of difference in perceived discomfort level, the two seats have different impacts: the softness of S induces greater activity of the lower back muscles, while F offers greater support for the lower back.

由于驾驶员几乎没有机会调整自己的位置，因此长时间驾驶可能会导致神经肌肉疲劳和不适。但是，更好的汽车座椅设计可以在限制这些影响方面发挥主要作用。这项研究比较了两个不同座位（软硬座椅和F硬座椅）对长时间驾驶过程中神经肌肉疲劳和驾驶员感觉不适的影响，还评估了不同道路类型对神经肌肉活动的影响。二十名参与者在静态模拟器上进行了两个3小时的驾驶课程，每个座位一个。每20分钟，参与者会自我评估他们的全身和个别身体区域不适感的程度。记录了8条肌肉的表面肌电图（sEMG），包括斜方肌（TD），长脊肌（ESL），多裂肌（MF），在整个驾驶过程中，外侧阔肌（VL）和胫前肌（TA）。此外，在每次驾驶之前和之后都要进行一次耐力静态测试（EST）。两个座位的全身不适感都随时间而增加，但是在整个驾驶过程中，两个座位之间的不适感得分均没有差异。最高的不适感得分是在两个座位的颈部和下背部。两个座位在驾驶后EST中的耐力时间都较短，从而揭示了神经肌肉疲劳。EMG记录显示，两个座位的神经肌肉疲劳状况不同，S的疲劳发作较早。尽管感觉不适程度没有差异，但两个座位的影响不同：S的柔软度导致下背部肌肉活动增强， F为下背部提供更大的支撑。