The purpose of this study was to identify occupational and car seat features causing discomfort in patrolofficers, and to determine which body parts were experiencing the most discomfort. A Seat Features andOccupational Components Questionnaire, based on a 0 to 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), revealedthat the duty belt was the occupational gear causing the most discomfort, followed by computer use withinthe car. The seat lumbar support was the seat feature causing the most discomfort. A Body Part DiscomfortQuestionnaire was administered at the beginning of the shift (T1), after six hours (T6), and at the end of thetwelve hour shift (T12), for both day and night shifts. There were no significant differences in body partdiscomfort between the two types of shifts. There were, however, significant increases in body partdiscomfort ratings over the course of the working day, especially on the right side of the body. While somebody parts experienced a significant increase in discomfort between the T1 and T6 (i.e., the neck, left upperback, right buttocks), some body parts only had a significant increase in discomfort after six hours (i.e., thelower back and mid back). The two body parts that experienced the highest levels of discomfort were theneck and lower back. A secondary purpose of the study was to identify the frequency of the activities thatoccur within the car. The largest portion of the workday and night were spent outside of the vehicle(46.1±10.8 % during the day, and 43.5±14.9% during the night). Left-handed driving occupied the mosttime in the car (26.3±10.1% during the day, and 25.7 ± 8.6% at night). A reduced or reconfigured duty belt,as well as decreased time spent in the car (doing paper work, computer work, and driving), could helpdecrease discomfort levels.
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