The Working Foot and Footwear

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Can anyone suggest a good source of information on the impact of standing at work and types of footwear on the foot and general health?

Anne

 

Anne

There are some low key surveys around (one by the Society if memory serves), most relate to pedometers and the distance travelled between different occupations. Illuminating but not real research. The footwear industry are a bit tight lipped about their research (too competative) and although you can access through freedom of information (in the States), it is not always easy. Most of the published works relating to shoes is rarely independent and hence biased. To get info in the UK through SATRA does involve a fee which is quite prohibitive. Otherwise the archioves of the Foot Biochemanics Society ( forgot its actual name now) is worthwhile .

The most fruitful source of research and the easiest to access is from the armed services which is not quite the same as a McDonald's operative but valid and reasonably reliable none the less. Occupational Health and Safety journals and websites are good sources too.

Like old times, just been speaking to Dick Forrest.

Cheers
Cameron

 

Hi Cameron

Thanks for this. These are the routes that I have been following, but it is a slow and laborious process. So far, I have found the Occupational Health routes to be the most productive, but few are well referenced.

I hadn’t tried the Biomechanical route and assume that you are referring to The International Footwear Biomechanics Group and the European Society of Biomechanics? I shall give these a go.

I did try the Armed Services without much success. You say that this is the easiest route. Do you have any useful email contacts in this field?

It’s hard to believe that there is such a paucity of reliable information in this area.

Yes it’s great to catch up. I met up with John McMullan at the Brighton Conference and caught up on old classmates.

Kind Regards

Anne.

 

Anne

>Do you have any useful email contacts in this field?

If you use Medline or any of the other search engines you can pick up relevent info. The key words are conditions and "new recruits" etc. The military in Israel have published a lot of research on heel pain and shin splints.

Cheers
Cameron

 

Cameron,

Many thanks. Maybe I've just been using the wrong key words? At present I am particularly interested in the association between pregnant women standing for long hours and pre-term or underweight babies.

Anne

 

Anne

Craig might be able to help you. One of his colleagues at La Trobe University did some preliminary research into expectant mothers and gait characteristics.

Hopefull they will weigh in and give you assistance.

Cheers
Cameron

 

Hi Anne,

In my many visits to the USA, I came accross a guy named Nicholas Sol, DPM. His business is called The Walking Clinic PC. I have attended some of his presentations on Pregnant women and gait. He may be a usefull contact for you. Try nksl@market1.com and see how you go. Last time I spoke to him when he was still based in Colorado Springs. His phone number is + 1 719 635 7700. Fax + 1 719 635 1794

I hope this helpd

 

Hi to both of the previous posters and many thanks for your help.

I shall follow up on these links, Meanwhile, if anyone knows of any other sources please let me know.

I know that Craig has his hands full at the moment, but do hope that he can find time to point me in the direction of his colleague at La Trobe University.

I have some Canadian research, but I can’t find much at all here in the UK.

Regards

Anne

 

Anne

Try Peter Thomspon (in Fife) and Gordon Watt in Glasgow.

Cheers
Cameron

 

Cameron,

Thanks once again. I hadn't thought of Gordon in an occupational role, more paediatric, but it's certainly worth a try.

Anne

 

Anne

It was Adam Bird (from La Trobe) did the research.

Cheers
Cameron

 

Hi Cameron,

Many thanks for taking the time to find this out for me. I appreciate your help and will get busy trying to follow up on your suggestions.

Regards

Anne

 

Hi Anne,

Adam here from La Trobe Uni.

The research I undertook looked at footprint parameters in pregnant women. In summary, the only change was a slight (2cm) significant increase in the base of gait.

However, I measured the women after they were relatively well rested - and therefore didn't look at what effect fatigue might have had on the parameters I measured.

Here's the abstract:

http://www.japmaonline.org/cgi/cont...AR&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

Hope this is of some help.

Regards,

Adam

 

Hi Anne,

Here's some references from my Masters dissertation. Unfortunately most of the published research on footwear tends to focus on athletes or patients with diabetes or rheumatoid. There's also lots where the researchers have used military recruits as subjects. These ones look at workplace-related problems - I'm not sure how relevant they are to you, but might be of some use.

Regards,
Martin Nunn
Podiatry Service Manager
Hotter Comfort Concept

BASFORD JR & SMITH MA (1988) Shoe Insoles In The Workplace. Orthopaedics Vol.11 p285
GRAAMAN R et al (1980) Foot Disorders Encountered In Waitresses. A Pilot Study Journal of the American Podiatry Association Vol.70 p97
SOBEL E et al (2001) The Effect of Customised Insoles on the Reduction of Postwork Discomfort. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association Vol.91 p515

 

Hi Adam,

Thank you so much for this. I am particularly interested in the tie in between pregnant women standing for long hours and pre-term or underweight babies.

For all it sounds as if your findings may not be quite what I’m looking for in respect of this, they may be interesting for comparison and I look forward to reading the full article.

Kind Regards

Anne

 

Hi Martin,

Sorry for the delay in reply. I have been away for a few days.

Your suggested sources seem more hopeful, particularly the article on 'Foot Disorders Encountered In Waitresses'. I am looking at the occupational effects of standing for long hours in the untreated foot.

To date I have not managed to unearth any UK information.

Your advice is much appreciated.

Regards

Anne