The Effect of Footrest on Standing Postural Control

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Footrest use is common for comfort during standing tasks.
• No prior research has investigated the impact of footrests on postural stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of using a footrest on postural control.
• To determine if footrest use influences center of pressure (COP) measures.

Main Methods:

• Twenty healthy young adults participated.
• Participants stood on a force platform under three conditions: two feet, one foot on a 15 cm footrest (front or lateral placement).
• Center of pressure (COP) parameters (distance, range, velocity) were analyzed in anterior-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions.

Main Results:

• COP displacements in both AP and ML directions significantly increased when one foot was placed on the footrest.
• The location of the footrest (front or lateral) did not alter this effect.
• Standing with eyes closed further amplified COP displacements.

Conclusions:

• Footrest use, particularly with one foot elevated, appears to reduce postural stability.
• Center of pressure (COP) analysis is a valuable tool for assessing postural stability.
• Findings suggest a need to reconsider footrest design and usage in occupational settings to optimize working conditions and safety.