Effects of mental fatigue on biomechanics of slips

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of mental fatigue on biomechanics of slips. A total of 44 healthy young participants were evenly categorised into two groups: no fatigue and mental fatigue. Mental fatigue was induced by performing an AX-continuous performance test. The participants in both groups were instructed to walk on a linear walkway, and slips were induced unexpectedly during walking. We found that mental fatigue has adverse effects in all the three phases of slips. In particular, it leads to increased likelihood of slip initiation, poorer slip detection and a more insufficient reactive recovery response to slips. Based on the findings from the present study, we can conclude that mental fatigue is a risk factor for slips and falls. In order to prevent slip-induced falls, interventions, such as providing frequent rest breaks, could be applied in the workplace to avoid prolonged exposures to cognitively demanding activities.

Abstract

Practitioner Summary: Slips are a common external perturbation initiating accidental falls. Recognising risk factors is typically the first step in accident prevention. We found that mental fatigue is a risk factor for slips and falls. Thus, exposures to mental fatigue should be avoided in order to reduce the risk of slip-induced falls.

Keywords::

• falls
• slips
• mental fatigue
• biomechanics

View correction statement:

Corrigendum

Notes

This article was originally published with errors. This version has been amended. Please see Corrigendum (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2014.975588).