The Influence of Prolonged Standing on Subjective Discomfort and Shank Circumference in Different Foot/floor Interface

台灣屠宰場勞工豬鏈球菌盛行率之調查

10.7005/JOSH.200909.0343

Chin-Yong Chen；Min-Hsien Cho；Yen-Hui Lin；Kuo-Chung Chao

Prolonged standing ； Foot/floor interface ； Subjective rating

勞工安全衛生研究季刊

17卷3期（2009 / 09 / 01）

343 - 352

英文

In many occupations, workers are standing for a prolonged period to work, resulting in complains of discomfort and pain. This study explores the influence of foot/floor interface on comfort and shank circumference. Ten healthy male volunteers performed 4 h of computer works while standing on four different foot/floor combinations, consisting of 2 foot (air-cushioned sport shoes, barefoot) and 2 floor (soft mat, and hard surface (force-plate)) conditions. The parameters measured pre-experiment and during the 4h work were perceived discomfort ratings in feet and shank circumference. Experimental results show that the foot/floor interface significantly affected discomfort rating of feet. There was subjectively more discomfort standing on the barefoot/hard surface combination, and there was less discomfort on the sport-shoe/mat combination. Hard foot/floor interface increased the discomfort ratings. The discomfort ratings also significantly increased with standing duration. An analysis of variance found that the shank circumference was influenced by standing duration and foot/floor interface. Unexpectedly, we found the highest increase of shank circumference in the sport shoe/hard surface combination, and lowest in the sport shoe/mat combination. In this study, objective measures did not reflect the subjective responses of discomfort rating. Therefore, in addition to circulatory factors, foot contact pressure may play an important role in the explanation of discomfort in legs and feet during prolonged standing.

1. Cham R,Redfern MS.(2001).Effect of flooring on standing comfort and fatigue.Human Factors,43,381-391.
2. Chester MR,Malgorzata J,Konz SA.(2001).Leg swelling, comfort and fatigue when sitting, standing, and sit/standing.Int J Ind Ergon,29,289-296.
3. Hansen L,Winkel J,J?rgensen K.(1998).Significance of mat and shoe softness during prolonged work in upright position: based on measurements of low back muscle EMG, foot volume change, discomfort and ground force reactions.Appl Ergon,29,217-224.
4. Institute of Occupational Safety and Health newsletter(2007).A survey on studies of prolonged standing,84,4-8.
5. Kim JY,Stuart-buttle C,Marras WS.(1994).The effect of mats on hack and leg fatigue.Appl Ergon,25,29-34.
6. Labs K,Tschoepl M,Gamba G,Aschwanden M,Jaeger K A.(2000).The reliability of leg circumference assessment: a comparison of spring tape measurements and optoelectronic volumetry.Vascular Medicine,5,69-74.
7. Lauranna Li,Frazer MB.(2001).Prolonged standing and the effect of work surface compressibility on discomfort, tiredness, muscle fatigue and productivity.Proceeding of the SELF-ACE 2001 Conference,Montreal, Canada:
8. Madeleine P,Voigt M,Arendt-nielsen L.(1998).Subjective, physiological and biomechanical responses to prolonged manual work perfonned standing on bard and soft surfaces.Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol,77,1-9.
9. Mayrovitz, H.N.,Sims, N.,Macdonald, J.(2000).Assessment of limb volume by manual and automated methods in patients with limb edema or lymphedema.Advances in Skin and Wound Care 2000,14,272-276.
10. Redfern MS,Cham R.(2000).The influence of flooring on standing comfort and fatigue.Am Ind Hyg Assoc J,61,700-708.
11. Ross M,Worrell T W.(1998).Thigh and calf girth following knee injury and surgery.The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy,27,9-15.