Kinematics of heelstrike during walking and carrying: implications for slip resistance testing

Slip resistance measurements of shoes and floors are used to evaluate the potential for slip and fall injuries. These measurements are believed to have increased validity when they more closely reflect actual heelstrike biomechanics during locomotion. The purpose of this study was to describe heelstrike kinematics during load carrying to provide data towards improved slip resistance testing. Foot kinematics during load carrying (unladen and carrying from 0 to 13.5 kg) at various cadences (70, 90, 100 steps/min) was recorded. Measures before, during and after heelstrike were analysed. Cadence was an important predictor for all variables measured, associated with changes from 13% to over 100%. The load carried was an important predictor for only the heel slip distance after heelstrike, but this effect needs to be investigated further. These results can be used to improve the fidelity of slip resistance measurements, which is critical to reduce slip and fall injuries in the workplace or during activities of daily living.