title: Slip resistance of non-slip socks--an accelerometer-based approach.
abstract: The present study investigated the relative slip resistance of commercially available non-slip socks during gait. Twenty-four healthy subjects (29.3±10.4 years) participated in the study. Each subject completed 4 different test conditions (barefoot, non-slip socks, conventional socks, backless slippers) in a randomized, balanced order. The slip resistance was estimated by measuring the heel deceleration time using a heel-mounted accelerometer. Repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc paired-sample t-test with Bonferroni correction were used for statistical analysis. Compared to barefoot walking absolute deceleration times [ms] were significantly increased when wearing conventional socks or slippers. No significant differences were observed between the barefoot and non-slip socks conditions. The present study shows that non-slip socks improved slip-resistance during gait when compared to conventional socks and slippers. Future investigations should verify the present findings in hospital populations prone to slip-related falls.
authors: Department of Sports Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Ginnheimer Landstraße 39, 60487 Frankfurt/Main, Germany. m.huebscher@sport.uni-frankfurt.de
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Hübscher
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Thiel
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Schmidt
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Bach
authors: Winfried
authors: W
authors: Banzer
authors: Lutz
authors: L
authors: Vogt
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D003020:Clothing; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*