Comparison of accuracy of steering by the upper and lower extremity

At many workplaces are activities related to the steering of the work place elements. Steering by upper extremity with a lever is used in most of the work processes. The lower extremities can also perform the work process steering purposes. It refers to such workstations on which steering is carried out with different types of pedals, relate mainly the jobs of drivers of cars, buses, tracks, trains. There are also quite unusual jobs, on which the working pedals can be used as a steering device for example, working pedals job of the surgeon [1]. Due to the fact that mainly upper extremities perform steering task there is a belief that the steering by the upper extremity (lever) is more precise than steering by the lower extremity (pedal). However the literature indicates that the foot has also the sensory function [2]. Research indicating upper extremities as more precise in steering tasks were done in conditions where both forces for upper and lower extremities were the same [3]. Taking into account that there is a difference in muscle force capabilities of upper and lower extremity the aim of the study was testing the accuracy of steering in various force on the lever and pedal. The steering can be done through displacement or through the force pressing the lever or pedal (without movement). Research suggests that steering by force may be as accurate as using the displacement of the lever or pedal [4, 5]. The tests were made using the force during the measurement of accuracy of steering. Due to the lack of movement of such measurements are not affected by the error resulting from the difference between static and dynamic friction of lever or pedal.