Heel contact dynamics in alternative footwear during slip events

• Crocs and flip flops demonstrated greater slip distance and velocity in slip trials.
• The slip parameters of alternative footwear were greater in unexpected slips.
• Knowledge and anticipation of slippery environment lowered slip parameters.
• Low top slip resistant shoe had better performance in all slip trials.

IntroductionSlips, trips and an induced loss of balance have been identified as the major causative factor for workplace injuries involving falls. Moreover, alternative footwear such has crocs and flip flops have been used in and around work places, especially with the usage of crocs in slip prone hospital settings.PurposeThe purpose of the study is to analyze the effects of alternative footwear [crocs (CC), flip-flops (FF)] and industry standard slip resistant shoes (LT) on heel dynamics during slip events.MethodsEighteen healthy male participants following a repeated measures design for each footwear condition, were tested for heel kinematics during normal dry surface gait (NG); unexpected slip (US), alert slip (AS) and expected slip (ES). A 3 × 4 repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the dependent slip parameters (heel slip distance-HSD & mean heel slip velocity-MHSV) at p = 0.05.ResultsSignificant interactions between footwear and gait trials were found for HSD & MHSV, with significantly greater slip parameters exhibited by CC & FF compared to LT during US.ConclusionAlternative footwear (CC & FF) demonstrated greater slips, but were limited to slip events that were unexpected. With the knowledge and anticipation of slippery flooring conditions, participants were able to lower the slip parameters by kinematically modifying heel contact dynamics. The LT had significantly lower slip parameters and maintained a normal gait pattern for all slip trials, and demonstrates to be the choice of footwear for maneuvering slippery flooring conditions; while alternative footwear combined with unexpected slip events contributed to potentially hazardous and hazardous slips.Relevance to IndustryAlternative footwear such as crocs are widely used in hospitals which are slip prone environments. This study provides evidence that these alternative footwear may predispose to hazardous slips and recommends the use of slip resistant footwear or slip resistant modifications to alternative footwear under known or unknown slippery conditions.