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Has the mat been optimized for softness
and hardness?
A standing surface that is too soft can increase fatigue
(eg, standing on a mattress). Overly soft surfaces also tend
to wear out more quickly. A surface that is too hard or
bottoms out easily may be only slightly better than standing
on nothing. 1, 2, 3, 4
3M Static Control Anti-Fatigue Mats 9900 Series are
engineered to very specific parameters that reflect the latest
research on optimal compressibility.
Does the mat provide an adequate balance
between instability and stability?
There needs to be enough instability to encourage small
postural changes that facilitate increased blood flow to and
from working muscles, but not so much that it requires
excessive muscular activity that might accelerate fatigue.
An extreme level of instability, caused by overly soft mats,
increases the risk of loss-of-balance as well as affects
overall body posture. Too much instability can increase
subtle additional muscular activity as the body works to
retain balance, accelerating fatigue levels. Fatigue-induced
deterioration in postural stability (balance) may lead to an
increased risk of slips, falls and workplace accidents when
workers are tired or experiencing discomfort.
Extreme levels of stability, on the other hand, are often
found in too-hard mats. Overly soft mats that bottom out,
or unusually hard mats, do not encourage subtle muscular
activity and increased blood flow to keep the muscles
optimally serviced with nutrients and waste removal.
Extremely stable mats may also create pressure points
causing discomfort and over-fatigue of certain muscles. The
optimal balance of instability and stability is critical and
works in concert with optimal compressibility. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
3M Static Control Anti-Fatigue Mats 9900 Series provide
a stable surface supported by unstable cells that ‘soften’ as
needed in response to surface activity.
Does the mat resist bottoming out without
being too soft?
Although a surface may have adequate compressibility, it
must also be appropriately thick. A mat that is too soft and
easily bottoms out begins to act like a mat that is too hard
because the cushioning material becomes fully compressed.
Current data suggests that mats should have a bottoming
out depth greater than 5 mm and a thickness greater than
10 mm. In other words, a mat may have an appropriate
ratio: thickness/bottoming out depth, but if it is too soft this
value becomes unimportant due to the overriding problems
associated with mats that are too soft. Optimal bottoming
out depth works in concert with an optimal balance of
stability and instability, and optimal compressibility. 1, 4
3M Static Control Anti-Fatigue Mats 9900 Series have
been optimized to resist bottoming out without being too
soft.
Essential Questions to Ask Before Buying an Anti-Fatigue Mat