Function of shoulder muscles of driver in vehicle steering maneuver

In order to study the function of muscles of driver shoulder during vehicle steering, identification of relations between electromyograph (EMG) activity of 10 shoulder muscles and steering force was performed. The procedure was to perform controlled steering maneuver by right hand in a driving simulator, and based on analyzing the EMG data with steering force in the steering wheel plane, the function was identified. It was found that muscle function depends strongly on both steering rotation and steering torque directions. In clockwise steering, the long head of triceps brachii was the prime mover and an important contributor to clockwise moment, while the sternocostal portion of the pectoralis major, the lateral head of triceps brachii, biceps brachii and teres major were the important stabilizers or fixators. In contrast, in counterclockwise steering, the anterior, middle and posterior deltoid, the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major and infraspinatus were the prime movers and also the important contributors to counterclockwise moment, while the sternocostal portion of the pectoralis major, the lateral head of triceps brachii, biceps brachii and teres major were the important stabilizers or fixators. We conclude that the prime movers are primarily a consequence of steering direction, while the stabilizers or fixators are primarily constant. These results can be used to improve the neuromuscular model and estimate the steering comfort of driver.