Work

Impact of foot-transmitted vibration on gait metrics, kinematics, and dynamic stability

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Transport operators face increased risks of injuries and falls while walking on a vibrating floor. No standards exist for human exposure to foot-transmitted vibration (FTV). In this study, twenty-one subjects walked on a treadmill constrained on a moving platform used to apply harmonic vibrations in four directions (mediolateral, anteroposterior, roll, and pitch) at four frequencies (0.5, 0.75, 1, and 1.5 Hz) with constant displacement (2 cm or 1°). The gait metrics, kinematic, and stability data were extracted in correspondence with the onset/offset of platform movement and when the steady-state of FTV was reached. Mediolateral vibration at the highest frequency was the most impactful condition, leading to the adoption of compensatory strategies to stabilize the center of mass closer to the floor and enlarge the base of support. These findings suggest that, from a normative perspective, a specific weighting curve is needed to assess human response to FTV while walking, since it varies as a function of vibration frequency and direction.

Source: Applied Ergonomics

DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104618

Authors: Flavia Marrone, Nicole Sanna, Elena Falchi, Angelo Tirabasso, Massimo Bovenzi, Marco Tarabini

Institutions: Politecnico di Milano, Istituto Nazionale per l'Assicurazione Contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro, University of Trieste

Language: English

Topic: Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention

Subfield: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,400