Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

16 male and 12 female students who had previous experience with hand-operated lever-braking systems performed braking tests with their hands at normal temperatures (mean hand temperatures 27.8°C) and with their hands cooled to give finger temperatures of 6°C and back of hand temperatures of 14°C. Tasks required subjects, in response to a visual stimulus of a red light, to extend their digits to grip a motorcycle brake and pull it on. Reduced times were measured for (a) responding to the stimulus by grabbing the brake lever and pulling it to full braking pressure in the hydraulic system, (b) extending the digits, and (c) flexing the digits and pulling on the brake. In each case conditions produced a significant decrement in performance. This effect may occur when riding a motorcycle with cold hands, a common occurrence in Northern Europe.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Allan

J. R.

Marcus

Saxon

Effect of cold hands on emergency egress procedure. Aerospace Medicine, 1974, 5, 479–481.

Bartlett

D. J.

Gronow

D. G. C.

Manual dexterity and tactile sensitivity in the cold. RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine, Flying Personnel Committee Report, Number 806, 1952.

Clark

D. H.

Royce

Rate of muscle tension, development and release under extreme temperatures. Internationale Zeitschrift für Angwandte Physiologie einschliesslich Arbeitsphysiologie, 1962, 17, 330–336.

Clark

R. E.

The limiting hand skin temperature for unaffected manual performance in the cold. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1961, 45, 163–194.

Dusek

R. E.

Effect of temperature on manual performance. In Fisher

R. P.

(Ed.), Protection and functioning of the hands in cold climates. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council, 1957. Pp. 63–76.

Horvarth

S. M.

Freedman

The influence of cold upon the efficiency of man. Aviation Medicine, 1947, 18, 158–164.

Hunter

Kerr

E. H.

Whillans

M. G.

The relation between joint stiffness upon exposure to the cold and the characteristics of synovial fluid. Journal of Medicine & Science, 1952, 30, 367–371.

LeBlanc

J. S.

Impairment of manual dexterity in the cold. Journal of Applied Physiology, 1956, 9, 62–64.

Lockhart

J. M.

Kiess

H. Q.

Auxiliary heating of the hands during cold exposure and manual performance. Human Factors, 1971, 13, 457–465.

10.

Mackworth

N. M.

Finger numbness in very cold winds. Journal of Applied Physiology, 1953, 5, 538–543.

11.

McCleary

R. A.

Psychophysiological effects of cold: 1. The role of skin temperature and sensory sensitivity in manual performance decrement. USAF School of Aviation Medicine Project 21–1202–0004, Report No. 1, 1953.

12.

McCloskey

D. I.

Gandevia

S. C.

Role of inputs from skin, joints and muscles and of corollary discharges in human discriminatory tasks. In Gordon

(Ed.), Active touch. New York: Pergamon, 1978. Pp. 177–188.

13.

Miller

H. R.

Grunfest

Alper

J. M.

Kerr

I. M.

Feitelberg

Klein

D. A.

A simple procedure for warming the hands to maintain manual dexterity during exposure to extreme cold. Fort Monmouth Signal Laboratory Climatic Research Unit, Engineering Memorandum No. 18CR, 1944.

14.

Mills

A. N.

Tactile sensitivity in the cold. In Fisher

F. R.

(Ed.), Protection and functioning of the hands in cold climates. Washington: National Research Council, 1957. Pp. 76–86.

15.

Pease

D. G.

Ludwig

D. A.

Green

E. G.

Millslage

O. G.

Immediate and follow-up effects of cold on performance time and its components, reaction time and movement time. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1980, 50, 667–675.

16.

Provins

K. A.

Morton

Finger numbness after acute local exposure and manual performance. Human Factors, 1960, 15, 749–754.

17.

Rubin

L. S.

Manual dexterity of the gloved hand and bare hand as a function of the ambient temperature and duration of exposure. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1957, 41, 377–383.

18.

Siple

P. A.

Passel

C. F.

Measurements of dry atmospheric cooling in subfreezing temperatures. Proceeding of American Philosophical Society, 1945, 89, 177–199.

19.

Whitaker

A survey of motorcycle accidents, TRRL Laboratory Report 973, Vehicle Safety Division, Safety Department, Transport and Road Research Laboratories, Crowthrorne, Berkshire, 1980.

20.

Woods

R. I.

How quickly do motorcyclists get cold in winter in Britain. Journal of Physiology, 1981, 319, 77p.

Skin Temperature and Motorcyclists' Braking Performance

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References