Slip Resistance Needs of the Mobility Disabled During Level and Grade Walking

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Abstract
Slip resistance needs were compared between mobility disabled and able-bodied individuals. Subjects walked across a level piezoelectric force plate at slow and fast speeds, and the ratio of the total shear force to the normal force was used as the required coefficient of friction (μr) Near touchdown,μr was found to be significantly greater (p < 0.05 for all significance values) for the mobility disabled (0.64 ± 0.19) than for the able-bodied (0.31 ± 0.07), regardless of the speed of walking. In contrast, slip resistance needs for these two groups were not different near push-off (disabled and able-bodied were each 0.41 ±0.17), although for both groups walking fast required significantly greater slip resistance (0.48 ± 0.19) than walking slow (0.34 ± 0.11). Required coefficient of friction was also calculated as disabled subjects walked up and down a ramp of 1:12 grade. At touchdown, no significant differences among the mean μr values were found for level, uphill, and downhill walking at slow or fast speeds. At push-off, slow-speed walking uphill required significantly greater slip resistance (0.46 ± 0.20) than level (0.34 ± 0.14) or downhill (0.34 ± 0.17) walking. No difference was found among the three grades for the fast speed. It was concluded that the mobility disabled do require greater slip resistance than the able-bodied, and that this puts them at increased risk for falling.

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