Utilized Coefficient Of Friction Research Articles

Relationship among several measurements of slipperiness obtained in a laboratory environment

Multiple sensing mechanisms could be used in forming responses to avoid slips, but previous studies, correlating only two parameters, revealed a limited picture of this complex system. In this study, the participants walked as fast as possible without a slip under 15 conditions of different degrees of slipperiness. The relationships among various response parameters, including perceived slipperiness rating, utilized coefficient of friction (UCOF), slipmeter measurement and kinematic parameters, were evaluated. The results showed that the UCOF, perceived rating and heel angle had higher adjusted R2 values as dependent variables in the multiple linear regressions with the remaining variables in the final pool as independent variables. Although each variable in the final data pool could reflect some measurement of slipperiness, these three variables are more inclusive than others in representing the other variables and were bigger predictors of other variables, so they could be better candidates for measurements of slipperiness.

Contribution of gait parameters and available coefficient of friction to perceptions of slipperiness

Perceived slipperiness rating (PSR) has been widely used to assess walkway safety. In this experiment, 29 participants were exposed to 5 floor types under dry, wet and glycerol conditions. The relationship between their PSR and objective measurements, including utilized coefficient of friction (UCOF), gait kinematics and available coefficient of friction (ACOF), was explored with a regression analysis using step-wise backward elimination. The results showed that UCOF and ACOF, as well as their difference, were the major predictors of the PSR under wet and glycerol conditions. Under wet conditions, the participants appeared to rely on the potential for foot slip to form their PSR. Under glycerol conditions, some kinematic variables also became major predictors of PSR. The results show how different proprioceptive responses and ACOF contributed to the prediction of PSR under different surface conditions.

The effects of restricting the flexion-extension motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint on human walking gait.

The first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint is a critical component for normal walking. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of restricting the flexion-extension motion of the first MTP joint on human walking gait. Ten male participants were recruited to perform walking trials under barefoot (BF) and the first MTP joint constraint (FMJC) conditions, respectively. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in walking speed and stride length. The characteristics of angular displacement in three lower limb joints and ground reaction force (GRF) were almost identical in BF and FMJC. However, maxima, minima and range of motion of three joint angles were significantly different. The utilized coefficient of friction (UCOF) increased significantly after FMJC, indicating that there may be a greater risk of slippage and falling when FMJC.