## 7 Occupational Footwear Design Suggestions  
Based on past research with occupational footwear, design suggestions for optimal human performance (biomechanics and physiology) are discussed below. Table 3 provides a summary of positive and negative impacts of various occupational footwear design features and their influence on the biomechanics and physiology of postural control and fall risk. The design features that have positive impacts should be adopted while the design features that have negative impacts be avoided or at least find alternatives. However, beyond all these suggestions, occupational footwear must follow and meet minimum safety standards regulated by OSHA through ASTM and CFR that were previously discussed. Occupational footwear with thinner and harder midsoles is suggested for better postural stability as the thin midsole promotes and increases the availability of somatosensory and proprioceptive feedback, which are critical afferent sensory information for postural control, especially if there is a lack of visual feedback in low lit and unstable occupational \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c} \hline
**Footwear Design Feature** & **Effect on Biomechanics/Physiology of Postural Control and Fall Risk** \\ \hline Midsole thickness & Thin soles increase the proprioception and somatosensory feedback from feet, resulting in better postural control and reduced fall risk \\ \hline Midsole hardness & Harder midsoles provide the sense of standing on a stable surface, aiding in better postural control and reduced fall risk \\ \hline Insole & Textured insoles improve the proprioceptive feedback to the CNS, aiding in postural control and reducing fall risk \\ \hline Ankle support/boot shaft height & Ankle support/higher shaft increases the proprioception around the ankle joint due to its mild constriction around the ankle; thus, causing optimal postural control while reducing fall risk \\ \hline Ankle support/boot shaft flexibility & Flexible ankle supports/boot shafts facilitate the ankle strategy and allow the maximum ankle range of motion to counterbalance the postural decrements; therefore, resulting in better postural control and reduced fall risk \\ \hline Heel height & Higher heel heights are associated with a constant state of plantar flexion, an anterior shift of the center of mass, altered force distribution, and altered gait patterns. Due to the absence of such effects, lower heel heights allow better postural control and reduced fall risk \\ \hline Heel-to-toe drop & Lower heel-to-toe drop results in better postural control and reduced fall risk due to the absence of the same effects mentioned under heel height \\ \hline Heel type & Due to lower heel-to-toe drop, the wedge heel type is preferred over pointed heels for white-collar workers. However, having a thicker heel anteriorly could make push-off propulsion harder during gait. Hence, lower heel types may facilitate better postural control, energy-efficient gait, and reduced fall risk \\ \hline Sole thread and groove pattern & Having an appropriate tread and groove pattern on the bottom of the sole will increase the friction of the footwear, leading to successful postural control, energy-efficient gait, and reduced fall risk \\ \hline Mass & As increased mass causes higher postural sway, energy expenditure, and undue muscle fatigue, lighter shoes are preferred for postural control, energy-efficient gait, and reduced fall risk \\ \hline Material, footwear shape, lacing & Discomfort and improper fitting of shoes alter gait biomechanics. Thus, comfortable, and properly fitting shoes enhance postural control while minimizing the falls. \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 3: Summary of design features impacting biomechanics and physiology of postural control and fall risk. environments such as coal mines. Additionally, textured, and thin insoles promote better proprioceptive and somatosensory compared to smooth and thick insoles. Boot shaft height is an important predictor of ankle joint movement during postural stability and gait.