Dokument: Doctor, when can I drive? – Influence of muscle weakness of dorsal flexors and plantar flexors from the ankle joint on driving ability

Titel:Doctor, when can I drive? – Influence of muscle weakness of dorsal flexors and plantar flexors from the ankle joint on driving ability
URL für Lesezeichen:https://docserv.uni-duesseldorf.de/servlets/DocumentServlet?id=71955
URN (NBN):urn:nbn:de:hbz:061-20260120-123631-9
Kollektion:Publikationen
Sprache:Englisch
Dokumententyp:Wissenschaftliche Texte » Artikel, Aufsatz
Medientyp:Text
Autoren: Schoeps, Dominique [Autor]
Prost, Max [Autor]
Hilsmann, Falk [Autor]
Lakomek, Felix [Autor]
Schiffner, Erik [Autor]
Jungbluth, Pascal [Autor]
Scheyerer, Max Joseph [Autor]
Windolf, Joachim [Autor]
Latz, David [Autor]
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Dateien vom 20.01.2026 / geändert 20.01.2026
Stichwörter:Dorsiflexion , Plantarflexion , Driving ability , Ankle muscle weakness , Driving simulator , Reaction time
Beschreibung:Purpose

Dorsiflexion (DF) and plantarflexion (PF) weakness are among the most commonly observed muscle strength impairments of the lower extremities. This may be due to spinal conditions, peripheral nerve damage, trauma or multiple other reasons. The personally used automobile remains the most commonly used mode of individual transportation in Germany. However, it is unclear whether and to what extent DF or PF weakness affects the ability to drive safely. This study aimed to experimentally assess the impact of DF and PF weakness on driving ability.
Methods

Twenty healthy licensed drivers with an annual mileage of > 5000 km participated in this experimental study. A custom-made orthosis was applied to the right leg to simulate both DF and PF weakness. Participants completed two driving simulator scenarios: an emergency braking maneuver (EBM) and stop-and-go traffic (StGo) under controlled conditions and with different levels of strength impairment (3/5 and < 3/5). Driving performance parameters were recorded and statistically analyzed using SPSS 29.
Results

DF weakness significantly prolonged brake pedal activation during EBM (2238 ms vs. 2046 ms; p < 0.02), while PF weakness had no significant effect. In StGo, PF weakness led to significantly more frequent acceleration use (1.4 vs. 1.05; p < 0.02) and increased safety distance (30.3 m vs. 24.8 m; p < 0.01). DF weakness resulted in more frequent acceleration use, lower speed, and a reduced safety distance (21.9 m vs. 24.8 m; p < 0.05).
Conclusion

PF weakness primarily affects fine motor control in StGo, while DF weakness significantly impacts both EBM and StGo. Compensation mechanisms should be further investigated.
Rechtliche Vermerke:Originalveröffentlichung:
Schöps, D., Prost, M., Hilsmann, F., Lakomek, F. N., Schiffner, E., Jungbluth, P., Scheyerer, M. J., Windolf, J., & Latz, D. (2025). Doctor, when can I drive? – Influence of muscle weakness of dorsal flexors and plantar flexors from the ankle joint on driving ability. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 26(1), Article 1002. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-09230-6
Lizenz:Creative Commons Lizenzvertrag
Dieses Werk ist lizenziert unter einer Creative Commons Namensnennung 4.0 International Lizenz
Fachbereich / Einrichtung:Medizinische Fakultät
Dokument erstellt am:20.01.2026
Dateien geändert am:20.01.2026
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