Abstract
Nursing professionals are the largest employee group in healthcare industry. Heavy physical loading and the substantial characteristics of nursing work are critical factors to induce the musculoskeletal disorders of lower extremity. Thus, preventing work-related musculoskeletal disease (WMSDs) and minimizing the physical workload of lower extremity are essential for improving nurse’s working health and maintaining quality nursing workforce.Three topics are discussed in this study. First, through the questionnaire survey, some critical factors affecting nurse’s working health and quality of life have been identified. Secondly, commercial-available nurse’s footwear including shoe and compression hosiery are evaluated and specific footwear features are suggested to reduce discomfort of lower extremity. Owing to nursing professionals are mostly females, the third part of this study discusses the effect of gender and walking speed on physical workload of lower extremity.The main findings of this study include that age, physical workload and work environment are the critical elements affecting the working health of nurses. Alleviating the physical workload of lower extremities, specific footwear design including a footbed with arch support, outsole materials, thickness, shoe last and heel height should be emphasized. Wearing compression hosiery has a positive effect to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort of lower extremity. Moreover, the effect of gender and walking speed should be taken into consideration for interpreting the physical workload of lower extremity.