title: Impact of work boots and load carriage on the gait of oil rig workers.
abstract: Effects of work boots and load carriage (6.4 kg and 12.8 kg) on gait pattern were investigated. The protective work boots were examined by comparison with running shoes through human performance tests with 15 male participants. The loads were carried symmetrically and asymmetrically on the shoulder and hand. Statistical data analysis showed a prolonged stance phase and decreased double support for work boots. A significantly increased ground reaction force was found in work boot conditions as the weight of loads increases. This study demonstrates that inflexible and heavy work boots restrict foot movement and require greater torque at the ankle to propel the body forward, which may increase physical strain and the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Development of improved fixation methods for work boots, increased use of flexible protective layers and further study of anthropometry of human foot morphology for improved safety and work efficiency of industry workers are suggested.
authors.affiliation: a Protective Clothing Research Center , Donghua University , China.
authors.forename: Miao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: b Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design , Cornell University , USA.
authors.forename: Huiju
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: b Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design , Cornell University , USA.
authors.forename: Heekwang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.affiliation: b Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design , Cornell University , USA.
authors.forename: Qinwen
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: a Protective Clothing Research Center , Donghua University , China.|c Key Laboratory of Clothing Design and Technology , Donghua University , China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D008297:Male; D000066388:Oil and Gas Industry; D012775:Shoes; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology
keywords: gait; load carriage; work boots