Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
• Heel Strike
As the heel contacts the ground, there is an equal
but opposite reaction force from the ground on the
calcaneus (heel bone)
The Effect of the Ground
• Tibial Torsion
As a result there is a twisting of the tibial (leg)
bone in an inward direction
The Effect of the Ground
• Loss of Arch
This forces the arch of the
foot lower, making the leg and
foot muscles work harder,
causing increased muscle fatigue
The Effect of the Gravity and Body Weight
• Gravitational forces which can be up to seven
times your body weight cause a very strong
downward force on the feet
Pronation
• The abnormal motion occurring as a result of
these upward and downward forces is known as
“Pronation”
• Excessive pronation can lead to foot disorders
such as heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, bunions ,
hammer toes, corns and calluses.
• The strap-like muscles from the calf will also
attempt to hold up the arch as more downward
pressures are applied throughout the day which
can lead to Achilles tendonitis and shin splints
Effect of Pronation on the
Knees, Hip and Back
• As a result, any lack of support at the level of feet
will then cause the legs to roll inwards and the
arch to collapse even further as the work shift
progresses
• This will cause the hips to tilt anterior & result in a
15 degree trunk forward lean
• Knees and hips will also experience more inward
stress and strain over time
• The back muscles will also be forced to work
even harder to keep the worker standing
upright.
Postural Changes Effecting the Back
The Need for Shock
Absorption at the Feet
•Varicose Veins
•Cramping
•Discomfort
Effects of an Aging Workforce
Employee Health
Medical Costs
and Safety
Employee Productivity
MEGAComfort’s
Solution
Product Design
Memory Foam
• The United States Space Agency was the first to use visco-
elastic or memory foam in the 1960's to help protect the
astronauts against harmful G-forces during blastoff
6,5
4,5
3,5
Dept 41-Sneakers
3
Dept 41-Workboots
2,5
1 Dept 41-All Footwear Responses
2
3
6,25
5,75
5,25
Pain Rating
4,75
4,25
Overall Responses
2,75
1 Foot Pain
3
Foot Pain
Back/hip Pain
Knee Pain
Overall Responses
Who would Benefit the Most?
The Pilot demonstrated:
• Increased Comfort
Those employees complaining of foot discomfort
responded best with an overall reduction of 41.7% in
discomfort
• Decreased Back & Hip Pain
This was followed by an overall 34.6% reduction for
those complaining of back & hip discomfort
• Decreased Knee Pain
Those complaining of knee discomfort had an initial
25.6% reduction that remained the same for the
second data collection period
One Year Follow-Up
Just wanted to follow up with you concerning the distribution of your insoles to our employees. Just a little history about
this
project though.
During one of our ergonomic team meetings, one of our employees asked if there was anything that could be done to
alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with walking on the cement factory floor. We never gave it much thought as
no
one had ever complained and after interviewing several employees, we found that no one complained because no one
thought complaining would help - after all it is a cement floor, what could possibly be done.
A few weeks after this ergonomic team meeting, I was attending the Eastern Ergonomics Conference in New York and
happened to run into Professor Pat Carley who, years ago, was our first on site Physical Therapist. As luck would have it,
he was representing your company and exhibiting the Mega Comfort Insoles. We discussed our employees request. With
management's approval, we decided to try the insoles in one of our production departments. Prof. Carley conducted
before
and after comfort surveys and, to make a long story short, based on this, we received management approval to purchase
3200 sets of the insoles. It should be noted that part of the justification of this project was the fact that by placing the
insoles in the employees shoes, we would no longer have to purchase expensive anti fatigue mats.
Every day, I ask an employee how he or she likes their insoles and 90% of the time they tell me that they could not walk
the floor without them and that they don't know how they did it before receiving the insoles. Not only do their feet feel
better, but they have experienced much less knee, hip and back pain. Our thanks to you, Barb and Pat for helping us to
make this a very successful project.
Joe Kessler
Hasbro Games
Suggested Implementation
40
Avg Gastroc Without
39
38
Avg Gastroc Insole
37
36
35
34
Percent of MVC
33
32
31
29
27
26
Comparison of Peak Gastroc & Tibialis Anterior Muscle Activity
Tib Ant with Insoles Tib Ant No Insoles Gastroc with Insoles Gastroc No Insoles
64
62 Gastroc No Insoles
Gastroc with Insoles
60
58
56
54
Percent of MVC
52
50
48
Statistical Tib Ant No Insoles
ly
46 Significan
44 t
Reduction
Tib Ant with Insoles
42
(.05)
***
40
Conclusions
• Less Fatigue
• Increased Comfort
Odor Reducing
Natural fresh scent
Ultra High-Density
(20lb./ft³) & 2 second
rebound. Ergonomically
Distinctive molded for maximum shock
Heel Cushion
Eliminate shock
Pattern absorption and motion control
Designed to redistribute
impact of heel strike
heel, ball and toe
pressure
Recommended for use in Industrial and Extra Depth footwear
Proven Benefits
Odor Reducing
Natural fresh scent
Ultra High-Density
(20lb./ft³) & 2 second
Distinctive rebound. Ergonomically
molded for maximum shock
Pattern absorption and motion control
Heel Cushion Designed to
Eliminate shock redistribute heel,
impact of heel strike ball and toe pressure
Recommended for use in Industrial and Extra Depth ESD footwear
About Electrostatic Discharge
Properties of ESD
Footwear and Insoles
shock absorption
• Simultaneously provides varying
degrees of heel support, arch support,
& motion control depending of foot
type, footwear, activity level and other
factors
• Choose & Alternate between 2 levels of
support without compromising comfort
(Inclusive with Purchase)
Recommended for all footwear, indoor and outdoor activities
Controls Abnormal Foot Motion
• Foot Type
• Footwear
• Activity Level
Recommended for all footwear, indoor and outdoor activities
Choose & Alternate between
multiple re-attachable Arch Supports
Soft Open-Celled
Memory Foam MEGAGel Visco
(5lb./ft³) Density Technology
Reduces harmful shear force For vibration reduction and
added heel and arch
& provides maximum comfort cushionning
Proven Benefits
INCREASE
Productivity
Comfort & Well Being
Workplace Health & Security
DECREASE
Injury Rates and Medical Costs
Muscle Fatigue
Foot, knee, hip and back pain
Pilot Test Program Testimonials
“We began testing the insoles as part of our Industrial Ergonomics Program We collected
positive data and received great feedback through the C.L.U.E. surveys. We now include
them as part of our Safety Shoe Program employees will receive one pair of insoles a
year (paid for by the company).”
Elizabeth M. Chevron Corporate Ergonomics Specialist
“We had employees from all three tours sample the mega insoles. We handed out surveys how
employees felt before they used mega insoles and another survey after two weeks. The
outcome/results were great, employees were very happy with the insoles. Those who were
complaining about back, hip and foot problems said they felt a difference by using the insoles.”
Richard R. US Post Office Union Safety Rep.
“Every department is required to have an ergonomic project submitted and completed each year.
Our Medical and Safety Departments decided to try the Mega-comfort insoles in the areas where
the employees were required to stand on concrete most of their shifts which sometimes lasted 12
hours. We had distributed another brand of insole earlier in the year and the employees were asked
to let us know which insole they preferred. When the verdict was in, all those participating liked the
Mega-comfort insoles over the other brand. We then ordered the insoles before the end of the year.
By the time January came, we were getting requests for the insoles from other departments so we
ordered again. The feedback was very positive. I think the requests for replacement insoles and the
feedback speak highly of your product. One more thing needs to be mentioned about you and your
company. I always received fast, courteous service. Whenever I had a question or called your
company, I always received a quick response which is rare in these days of high tech.”
Cathy T. Pepsico Occupational Health Nurse
Pilot Test Program Proposal
Program Requirements
Implementation:
http://www.megacomfort.com
Thank You
Dr. Kevan
© MEGAComfort Inc. 2008
Orvitz
drkevan@megacomfort.com