IMPACT OF EXTENDED DURATIONS TO BALLAST AND POSTURAL STABILITY

Railroad workers are exposed to a unique work setting of irregular walking surfaces. Research and injury statistics suggest a possible causal relationship between irregular walking surfaces and postural instability. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of extended duration of exposure to ballast on postural stability. Sixteen healthy adult males walked on a 7.62m x 4.57m (25ft x 15ft) walking surface of No Ballast (NB) or covered with Ballast (B). Participants were assessed on six NeuroCom ® Equitest postural stability testing conditions prior to ballast surface and again every 30 minutes for 4 hours. Following at least 72 hours, participants repeated the protocol for a flat (NB) surface. Dependent variables were medial-lateral (M/L) and anterior–posterior (A/P) sway velocity and root mean square (RMS) sway components. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences between surface conditions and exposure time. Overall, the ballast surface condition induced greater sway parameters in each of the six-postural stability testing conditions for time interval and surface conditions. Walking on ballast for extended durations has a deleterious effect on postural stability compared to walking on a flat (NB) surface. The findings provide preliminary information for improve existing work practices for injury prevention