CHANGES OF GAIT PATTERN ON SLIPPERY WALKING SURFACES IN SIMULATED CONSTRUCTION WORKSITE ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the gait pattern when walking on potential slippery surfaces. Twelve male subjects performed level walking at their natural cadence and without slips under sixteen simulated construction site walkway conditions with different floorings, contaminants and footwear. Gait pattern parameters were collected by video cameras and were analyzed by motion analysis system (APAS). Dynamic coefficients of friction (DCOF) of the walkway conditions were determined in a mechanical slip resistant test. Signifkant correlations were found with the DCOF for stance, swing and stride time. Significant increase in stance time, swing time and stride time, decrease in stride length and heel velocity at contact, and slower mean propagation speed were found when slippery potential increased. Further study is suggested to provide a more comprehensive explanation of human adaptation to slippery walking surface which helps proposing occupational safety in worksite