Influence of shoe/floor conditions on lower leg circumference and subjective discomfort during prolonged standing

Many occupations require workers to stand for prolonged periods, which can cause both discomfort and pain. This study examines the effects of different shoe and floor conditions on standing discomfort in the workplace and laboratory. Two experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 enrolled 10 subjects who performed a computer task under two floors and shoe conditions while standing for 4 h in a laboratory. Experiment 2 involved 14 subjects who stood for 4 h throughout their shift on two different floors in a real work situation (i.e., a field experiment). Analytical results demonstrate that floor type and time standing significantly affected subjective ratings for leg discomfort and circumferential shank measurements in both the laboratory and field studies. Shoe condition significantly affected subjective ratings for leg discomfort. We conclude that shoe/floor conditions and prolonged standing influence worker lower extremity discomfort during prolonged standing. These analytical findings suggest that common ergonomic interventions, such as modifying the flooring on which workers stand might some what alleviate leg edema for workers standing for 4 h shifts in laboratory and field settings. Nevertheless, prolonged standing for even 1 h without rest showed negative effects and should be avoided when possible. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.