An anti-fatigue mat is an ergonomic floor mat designed to ease the strain of standing on a hard surface for a long period of time and to reduce the fatigue that is caused. They are often used to decrease foot weariness for workers who stand in one position for long periods of time. A mat will add additional cushion between your feet and the floor. These mats are also known to increase productivity and worker moral. If you will be working at a station for more than 10 minutes at a time then investing in an anti-fatigue mat would be worthwhile. A standing mat (anti-fatigue mat) is one of the best things you can spend your money on. Standing for long periods at a time will put undue stress on your body (feet, ankles, knees, hips and back), causing pains, aches and fatigue. Leg muscles will become totally static and constricted as they work overtime to keep you in an upright position. Blood flow is greatly reduced causing pain and discomfort. In this situation, the employees' heart is forced to work harder to pump blood through these constricted areas and their body begins to run out of energy. Standing on hard surfaces with static pressure pressing down on your joints will cause strain and fatigue to the body. The body is designed to move and be dynamic.Standing Mat Benefits: *Reduce stress on the human body and lessen the pain*Stimulate blood circulation and prevent cramps*Lead to increased productivity*Reduce slips and falls*Improved ergonomics throughout the bodyHowever, if a person is allowed to use a standing mat, their muscles will subtly contract and expand as they adjust to the flexibility of the mat. This muscle movement increases blood-flow and increases the amount of oxygen reaching the heart. Standing mats immediately make any task more comfortable and efficient while reducing fatigue. Like all ergonomic equipment, these mats are designed to work with the human body to ease any task that the body will perform. When considering purchasing a standing mat, there are other factors that should be addressed. To get the most benefit out of your mat, you will want to make sure you get the right material, style and size for the type of job setting you're in. Footwear will also play an important part in your standing mat. You'll want to make sure your show has adequate arch and heel support while still providing enough cushion. When you combine all these factors together, a standing mat will improve your working conditions!http://ergonomics.about.com/od/buyingguide/f/antifatigue-mat.htmhttp://www.ergomat.com/global/resources/ergomat/ergonomic-vs-antifatigue http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/mats.html
