title: Required coefficient of friction during turning at self-selected slow, normal, and fast walking speeds.
abstract: This study investigated the relationship of required coefficient of friction to gait speed, obstacle height, and turning strategy as participants walked around obstacles of various heights. Ten healthy, young adults performed 90° turns around corner pylons of four different heights at their self selected normal, slow, and fast walking speeds using both step and spin turning strategies. Kinetic data was captured using force plates. Results showed peak required coefficient of friction (RCOF) at push off increased with increased speed (slow μ=0.38, normal μ=0.45, and fast μ=0.54). Obstacle height had no effect on RCOF values. The average peak RCOF for fast turning exceeded the OSHA safety guideline for static COF of μ>0.50, suggesting further research is needed into the minimum static COF to prevent slips and falls, especially around corners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fino
authors.affiliation: Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 557 Whittemore Hall, MC 0118, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. Electronic address: lockhart@vt.edu.
authors.forename: Thurmon E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Lockhart
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D017276:Friction; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Biomechanics; Friction; Friction demand; Gait; RCOF; Required coefficient of friction; Slips and falls; Speed; Turning