Anti-fatigue Mats Research Articles

A Review of Studies Concerning Prolonged Standing Working Posture

Standing is one of the most preferred working postures in the manufacturing field as it provides a large degree of physical freedom and mobility to the human operators. In addition, the cognitive perceptions of the increase in work effectiveness and productivity rate among the human operators are the reasons this working posture is practiced. However, to stand erect for a long period of time or otherwise known as Prolonged Standing often leads to physiological discomfort, fatigue and even health issues such as Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). The aim of this paper is to review on the effects resulting from Prolonged Standing and disseminates the information on the ergonomic interventions to relieve standing fatigue. Selected journals and research papers related to Prolonged Standing were reviewed and the findings showed that varying the floor conditions such as installing anti-fatigue mat and using shoes with soles would help in relieving discomfort associated with the cumulative effects of Prolonged Standing. Nevertheless, further research is needed to truly quantify the effectiveness of these suggested ergonomics interventions in real world implementations such as in the manufacturing industry.

Effects of Anti-Fatigue Mats on Perceived Discomfort and Weight-Shifting During Prolonged Standing

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of anti-fatigue mats on perceived discomfort and behavioral responses (weight-shifting between the feet) during prolonged standing. Prolonged standing is a common requirement in the workplace and is a well-known cause of discomfort. Anti-fatigue mats have been shown to reduce discomfort resulting from standing, but no study has identified a particular mat that performs better than others or examined the relationship between discomfort and weight-shifting. Participants stood for 4 hours on four commercially available "anti-fatigue" mats and a hard surface (control condition). Subjective ratings of discomfort were measured, and in-shoe pressure was recorded and used to evaluate weight-shifting during standing. Compared to the control condition, after 4 hours of standing discomfort was reduced by three of the four mats, but discomfort ratings did not significantly differ among mats. However, significant differences among mats were found in the frequency of weight-shifting, and weight-shifting was positively correlated to discomfort. These results suggest that subjective reports of discomfort were not sufficiently sensitive to detect differences among mats for the experimental conditions tested. Behavioral responses, specifically weight-shifting between feet, may provide a more sensitive alternative to subjective reports.

Possible mechanisms for the reduction of low back pain associated with standing on a sloped surface

Prolonged standing in an occupational setting has long been associated with the development of low back pain. In response to this, researchers have investigated various interventions that can alleviate low back pain and discomfort, such as anti-fatigue mats, shoe insoles, and more recently, sloped platforms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a sloped surface on kinematics and trunk muscle thickness during quiet and prolonged occupational standing. Eleven participants performed 1-min quiet standing tasks on three surfaces – level ground, incline, and decline – followed by 16-min of prolonged standing in each condition. Trunk, lumbar, and global pelvis angles were measured during each standing condition, and muscle thickness measurements of erector spinae and the lateral abdominal wall were taken during the quiet standing task. During quiet standing, there were systematic changes in trunk, lumbar, and pelvis angles with the different surfaces; however, these changes were not accompanied by systematic changes in muscle thickness. The responses found during the quiet standing were consistent during prolonged standing. As a result, the reduced perceived low back pain found when using sloped platforms is likely not the result of changes in morphology of the trunk musculature, but might be related to the altered kinematics caused by standing on these platforms.

AORN Ergonomic Tool 4: Solutions for Prolonged Standing in Perioperative Settings

Prolonged standing during surgical procedures poses a high risk of causing musculoskeletal disorders, including back, leg, and foot pain, which can be chronic or acute in nature. Ergonomic Tool 4: Solutions for Prolonged Standing in Perioperative Settings provides recommendations for relieving the strain of prolonged standing, including the use of antifatigue mats, supportive footwear, and sit/stand stools, that are based on well-accepted ergonomic safety concepts, current research, and access to new and emerging technology.

Risk factors for lower extremity fatigue among assembly plant workers

Work-related fatigue of the lower extremities is a known cause of lost productivity and significant employer costs. Common workplace solutions to reduce fatigue levels include anti-fatigue matting, shoe orthoses, or sit/stand work stations. However, assessment of these anti-fatigue measures within the workplace has been limited. This was a cross sectional study in an automotive assembly plant on employees with at least 6 months tenure. Subject data were collected via questionnaires including Likert-scale questions to define fatigue severity. Jobs were evaluated for lower extremity ergonomic exposures via videotaping, pedometers, interviews, and industrial engineering records. Lower extremity fatigue at the end of the work day was associated with a higher prevalence of smoking, rheumatoid arthritis, job dissatisfaction, use of shoes with firmer outsoles, and increased time on the job spent standing or walking. Supervisor support and increased time spent on carpet were protective. Lower extremity fatigue that interfered with activities outside of work had additional risk factors including higher BMI, prior diagnosis of osteoarthritis, and increased hours per week spent working. While these results identify carpet as being protective against lower extremity fatigue, no similar relationship was identified for anti-fatigue mats. No adverse relationship was found between hard surfaces such as concrete and lower extremity fatigue. Given the high costs associated with work-related fatigue, future areas for potential intervention include smoking cessation, specific shoe recommendations, and enhancing psychosocial aspects of work such as supervisor support.

다탄성 Insole의 Workload 감소 효과에 관한 연구

The Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) can be occurred by various factors such as repetition, forceful exertions and awkward postures. Especially, occurrences of the WMSDs on the waist and lower limb are reported in workplaces, demanded standing postures for a long time, in service and manufacturing industry. The static and standing postures without movement for a long time increase work loads to the lower limb and the waist. Accordingly, anti-fatigue mat or anti-fatigue insole is used as a preventing device of the WMSDs. However anti-fatigue mats are limited in space and movement. In this study, multi-elastic insoles are designed and shown the effects of the workload reduction for a long time under the standing work. The foot pressures and EMG (Electromyography) are measured at 0 hour and after 2 hours by 6 health students in their twenties. The 6 prototype insoles are designed with three elastic (Low, Medium and High). These insoles are compared with no insole (insole type 7) as control group. The EMG measurement was conducted to waist (erector spinae muscle), thigh (vastus lateralis muscle) and calf (gastrocnemius muscle). The foot pressure is analyzed by mean pressure value and the EMG analysis is investigated through MF (Median Frequency), MPF (Mean Power Frequency) and ZCR (Zero Crossing Rate). The results of the foot pressure show that the multi-elastic insoles had smaller foot pressure value than that of no-insole. Moreover, Insole 2 and Insole 3 have the smallest increasing rate in foot pressure. The EMG results show that the multi-elastic insoles had smaller EMG shift value than that of no-insole in 2 hour, and then shift value shows the smallest value in Insole 2. Therefore, this study presents that the multi-elastic insoles have reducing effects of the work load for a long time standing work in both side of foot pressure and EMG.

Reducing Cumulative Trauma Disorders

1. Cumulative trauma disorder can be reduced by applying four ergonomic approaches: applying anthropometric data, reducing the number of repetitions, reducing the force required, and eliminating awkward postures as much as possible. 2. Selecting the proper work surface height will help reduce fatigue, pain, and discomfort and will allow the employee to be at the right height in relation to the task. Ideally, an adjustable height work surface should be provided that will accommodate all potential users. 3. Prolonged standing and sitting are physically stressful to the body. However, by providing a well designed work area with the appropriate accessories, such as antifatigue mats, ergonomic chairs, and footrests, fatigue and discomfort can be minimized. 4. In addition to providing a properly designed work area, a successful ergonomics program should include training, administrative actions, and exercise programs.

The Ergonomic Evaluation and Improvement of a Cable Forming Process: A Case Study

Since 1986, twelve (12) injuries and illnesses had occurred among cable formers in several shops of a major telecommunications equipment manufacturer resulting in significant lost time and restricted days. The process engineer, supervisor, plant ergonomist, production associates, and maintenance personnel analyzed the problem elements of the job and developed possible solutions. Ergonomic training, repair of the existing boards, a new cable board design, anti-fatigue mats, step stools, and new scissors were implemented. Significant improvements were realized in employee morale and board set-up time. The degree of musculoskeletal stress suffered by these workers was also reduced.