1. Introduction.- 2. Terminology and Definitions.- 3. Stress-Strain Concept in Whole-Body Vibration.- 4. Work-Related Stress from Whole-Body Vibration.- 5. Acute Effects of Mechanical Vibration.- 5.1 Biological Prevention and Control Mechanisms Against Mechanical Vibration.- 5.2 Biodynamic Reaction on Vibration.- 5.2.1 Models of the Human Body under Vibration.- 5.2.2 Vibration Behavior when Walking and Running.- 5.2.3 Vibration Behavior in Standing Posture.- 5.2.3.1 Vertical (z-Axis) Excitation.- 5.2.3.2 Horizontal (x-Axis, y-Axis) Excitation.- 5.2.4 Vibration Behavior in Reclining Posture.- 5.2.4.1 Vertical (x-Axis) Excitation.- 5.2.4.2 Horizontal (y-Axis, z-Axis) Excitation.- 5.2.5 Vibration Behavior in Sitting Posture.- 5.2.5.1 Vertical (z-Axis) Excitation.- 5.2.5.2 Horizontal (x-Axis, y-Axis) Excitation.- 5.2.6 Vibration Behavior of the Spinal Column.- 5.2.7 Vibration Behavior of Internal Organs.- 5.2.8 Vibration Behavior of the Eye.- 5.2.9 Review of the Resonance Frequencies of Various Parts of the Body.- 5.3 Changes in Physiological Functions.- 5.3.1 Muscle Activity.- 5.3.2 Heart-Circulatory Function.- 5.3.3 Respiratory Function.- 5.3.4 Vegetative and Biochemical Reactions.- 5.3.5 Sensory Function.- 5.3.5.1 Acoustic Perception.- 5.3.5.2 Equilibrium Regulation.- 5.3.5.3 Kinetosis.- 5.3.5.4 Visual Perception.- 5.4 Sensorimotor Performance.- 5.5 Subjective Perception.- 5.5.1 Vibration Perception and Vibration Sensation Memory.- 5.5.2 Vibration Perception in the Sitting and Standing Postures.- 5.5.3 Vibration Perception in Reclining Posture.- 6. Chronic Effects of Whole-Body Vibration.- 6.1 Methodological Problems.- 6.2 Work-Related Diseases in National and International Regulations.- 6.3 Vibration Effects on the Skeletal System in Animal Experiments.- 6.4 Epidemiological Research on Professional Groups Exposed to Vibration.- 6.4.1 Diseases of the Spinal Column.- 6.4.1.1 Tractor Drivers.- 6.4.1.2 Truck and Bus Drivers.- 6.4.1.3 Drivers of Earth-Moving Equipment.- 6.4.1.4 Railroad, Ship and Airplane Crews, and Employees in the Concrete Industry.- 6.4.1.5 Prevalence of Pathological Changes in the Spinal Column (Summary).- 6.4.1.6 An Occupational Medicine Appraisal of Changes in the Spinal Column Arising from Vibration Exposure.- 6.4.2 Digestive System Diseases.- 6.4.2.1 Tractor Drivers.- 6.4.2.2 Truck and Bus Drivers.- 6.4.2.3 Drivers of Earth-Moving Equipment.- 6.4.2.4 Employees in the Concrete Industry.- 6.4.2.5 Prevalence of Pathological Findings in the Digestive System (Summary).- 6.4.2.6 An Occupational Medicine Appraisal of Digestive Disorders Arising from Vibration Exposure.- 7. The Influence of Particular Modes of Vibration.- 7.1 Vibration Occurring Simultaneously in Several Directions.- 7.2 Mixtures of Periodic Vibration, Random Vibration and Vibration Containing Shocks.- 7.2.1 Mixtures of Periodic Vibration.- 7.2.2 Random Vibration.- 7.2.3 Vibration Containing Shocks.- 7.3 Rotational Vibration.- 7.4 Exposure Duration and Rest Pauses.- 8. Preventive Measures.- 8.1 Engineering Methods.- 8.2 Prevention by Work Organization.- 8.3 Personal Prevention.- 8.4 Prevention by Occupational Medicine.- 9. Laws, Regulations, Standards, and Guidelines for the Protection of Man against Mechanical Vibration.- 9.1 Occupational Diseases.- 9.2 Criteria for the Evaluation of Risk from Mechanical Vibration and the Establishment of Exposure Guidelines.- 9.3 Guidelines for the Measurement and Evaluation of Vibration.- 9.4 Medical Examinations of New Employees and Regular Health Check ups.- 9.5 Technical and Organizational Measures for Protection Against Mechanical Vibration.- 10. Summary and Conclusions.- References.- Medical Terminology.
