In general, many people and businesses focus on what their mats can do to protect their buildings and office spaces from the effects of foot traffic, but there is a remarkable level of versatility and functionality to help workers be at their best and avoid injury.
One of the most remarkable specialist mats that are available on the market is the anti-fatigue mat, a vital floor covering that helps improve productivity, increases comfort and reduces the types of strain that can lead to workplace injury.
What are they? How do they work? And where should they be implemented?
What Is An Anti-Fatigue Mat?
An anti-fatigue mat is a specialist floor covering that provides a softened, cushioned surface that relieves pain, reduces strain on the body and helps to stop fatigue when standing for extended periods of time on hard surfaces such as concrete, hardwood or screed.
They can be made from a range of materials, including vinyl, wood and various types of carpet textiles, but the most common material is rubber due to its shock-absorbing qualities and the unique way that they support the body.
How Do Anti-Fatigue Mats Work?
Standing for long periods of time on hard floors puts pressure on the feet and calves, causing them to constrict blood flow around the legs, causing blood to pool in the lower body. This causes pain, muscle fatigue and potential long-term musculoskeletal disorders.
Anti-fatigue mats work through two subtle but powerful mechanisms working in parallel with each other:
- A cushioned surface stops the muscles from constricting blood vessels, particularly in the feet.
- Shapes or textures create an intentionally uneven surface that forces muscles to keep subtly moving involuntarily.
These micromovements, used to maintain balance on a practically stable but subtly imbalanced surface, help to activate the calf pump, a muscle action which pumps blood from the lower limbs to the heart.
This improved circulation improves blood flow, which not only helps relieve joint pain but also helps reduce fatigue through better circulation and reduced heat loss through contact with hard, cold surfaces.
They also distribute body weight evenly across the feet, reducing pressure on specific parts of the feet and minimising strain on the joints.
As well as this, they have the side effects of reducing slip hazards through non-slip textures on the underside of the mat, boosting posture through the micro-movements it encourages, and sound dampening, which can avoid possible hearing-related hazards.
Where Should Anti-Fatigue Mats Be Used?
Anti-fatigue mats provide the most benefit for people who stand for long periods of time on hard surfaces where the surface of the floor cannot realistically be made more comfortable, and shock-absorbing soles in shoes are not enough to fix the issue.
This is particularly important for assembly line workers, chefs, retail staff and office workers who tend to work using standing desks.
Typically, the best kinds of roles where an anti-fatigue mat can be used are where a job is mostly undertaken in one place, workers are expected to stand for significant parts of the day in the same place or in certain work stations.