Power absorption in women and men exposed to hand-arm vibration

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine whether there are gender differences as regards the quantity of absorbed power, i.e., vibration absorption per unit of time, during exposure to vibration from a specially constructed handle. Methods: The study was conducted on 24 subjects (12 female and 12 male). The experiments were performed with exposure in two vibration directions, X-h, and Z(h), and with two vibration levels, 3 and 6 m/s(2). Results: The male subjects had significantly higher power absorption during exposure to vibrations in the Z(h) direction at the vibration level of 6 m/s(2) than did the female subjects. When adjusted for anthropometrical measurements the difference did not remain significant. Higher vibration levels resulted in significantly higher absorption of power for both X-h and Z(h) directions. The absorption was significantly higher in the Z(h) direction than in the X-h direction. Conclusions: No gender difference in power absorption was shown.