Anti-fatigue mats are very beneficial to the health of people who have to stand in one place for an extended period of time. The reason these mats have so many benefits is pure physics — anti-fatigue mats counteract the massive forces exerted on the body’s pressure points, joints, limbs and muscles caused by gravity and the repetitive pounding by walking. Here are some of the problems presented by extended standing and walking and the solutions that anti-fatigue mats provide.
Standing for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces, causes many physical problems. This includes weariness and pain. A well made anti-fatigue mat will cause the body’s muscles to slowly contract and expand as they conform to the anti-fatigue mat’s flexibility. This muscle movement increases the flow of blood and the amount of oxygen that is reaching the heart. Blood flow is facilitated, taking less energy away from the individual. In turn, this reduces fatigue for the entire body.
Standing on hard flooring for a long time is very fatiguing. It elicits major physical exhaustion because your body’s heart and muscles must work extra hard against gravity to maintain blood flow. Muscles in the legs begin to become stationary and constricted as they work harder to keep the body upright. The heart works harder at getting blood to these constricted areas. Blood flow is reduced while at the same time blood and fluids begin to accumulate in the lower extremities, causing varicose veins. The issues associated with standing for a long time have been researched extensively. The damage that standing for long periods of time causes to our body is severe and can lead to health complications as serious as stroke, cancer and heart failure.
Anti-fatigue mats increase comfort and reduce overall pain by absorbing the colossal amount of force exerted on a body from standing or walking. Anyone who is not in pain will definitely be more productive! Standing or walking on concrete is particularly damaging because concrete is rigid, providing no shock absorbency. Simply walking on a hard floor is like striking the heel with a hammer every time you take a step. These mats are like giant shock absorbers, which provide a cushiony surface to walk on. This reduces that “hammering” effect on the feet. The cushiony effect reduces pressure on specific points in the joints, connective tissue and muscles. The shock absorption that an anti-fatigue mat provides protects the body from the ravages of gravity and exertion.
Anti-fatigue mats can counteract the complications of long-term standing in so many other ways. They reduce problems like spinal compression. They reduce fatigue by providing better circulation and less pain in not only the feet, but also the legs, spine, back and neck. Other benefits of these mats include less doctor’s visits, less time off from work, fewer accidents due to slipping or fatigue and less worker’s compensation claims. The benefits are both short-and-long term. The gains are far-reaching. A little investment in anti-fatigue mats can bring great returns!