Comparisons of Tibial Shock when walking on four different flooring surface materials used in distribution centers

Flooring surfaces can be made from concrete, bar grate, composite materials, or may be covered with matting material. Anecdotal data suggested that surfaces made from wood composite materials may be a more comfortable surface on which to work. The objective of this study was to quantify differences in tibial shock as 16 people walked on concrete, bar grate, a wood composite material, and a concrete surface covered with matting. An accelerometer was attached to the right shin of volunteers who were asked to walk on each surface. Significant differences across the four surfaces were observed when each participant walked at their normal walking speed (p=.041) and when they walked at a faster than normal pace (p=.023). These findings suggest that individuals working in distribution centers, where extensive walking is part of the job, would possibly experience less lower extremity discomfort on selected floor surfaces.