There have been many studies conducted that examine the relationship between our health related to the amount of time we spent standing while on the job.
There are multiple articles and reviews outlining the potential health problems of prolonged standing at work or in other circumstances.
According to the National Library of Medicine these health risks can be reduced by the implementation of interventions such as Anti-Fatigue Mats.
According to the European Survey on Working Conditions almost 50% of people complain about working in painful or tiring positions.
Prolonged standing at work has been shown to be associated with a number of potentially serious health risks, such as lower back and leg pain, cardiovascular problems, fatigue, discomfort, pregnancy related health issues and musculoskeletal disorders.
Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders according to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work is the most common work related health problem in the European Union. This is also very costly and completely unnecessary to the economy and to the ordinary worker.
Let's have a look at common Musculoskeletal Disorders:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Muscle / Tendon strain
- Ligament Sprain
- Tension Neck Syndrome
- Thoracic Outlet Compression
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- Epicondylitis
- Radial Tunnel Syndrome
- Digital Neuritis
- Trigger Finger / Thumb
- DeQuervain’s Syndrome
- Mechanical Back Syndrome
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Ruptured / Herniated Disc,
- and many more.
If a worker is exposed to MSD risk factors, they begin to fatigue. When fatigue exceeds their body’s recovery system, they develop a musculoskeletal imbalance. Over time, as fatigue continues to outrun the required recovery and the musculoskeletal imbalance persists, a musculoskeletal disorder develops.
So people that have to stand still for hours doing their job, like a doctor or nurses operating on you or on a loved one, who can't go for a brisk walk every half an hour, ( just imagine the lawsuits that will follow), need support. You want them to stay still and focus on their job in order to save the life of the individual - And that is where Anti-fatigue mats come into play.
When you walk your arteries help pump blood to your heart for your body to work properly but standing still for long periods of time can lead to blood circulation slowing down or even pooling blood around your feet and lower legs.
So Anti-fatigue mats help your muscles move even when you are standing still as it is not a hard surface such as concrete, which in turn helps with blood circulation even when standing still for long periods of time, thus reducing the risk of fatigue and other health issues.
