Manual zeroing in a seated position is the critical calibration step required to eliminate measurement artifacts caused by footwear. Before any data is collected, this process neutralizes the "pre-load" pressure exerted by the laces of safety shoes. By resetting the system baseline while the feet are suspended, you ensure the sensors record only the actual forces generated by body weight and dynamic movement, rather than the static tightness of the shoe.
By removing the constant pressure of tight laces from the equation, manual zeroing establishes a "true zero." This ensures that subsequent calculations for peak pressure and impulse values reflect only the effective loads generated during work tasks.
The Mechanics of Sensor Calibration
Eliminating Pre-Load Pressure
Safety shoes are designed to fit securely, often requiring tight lacing to maintain stability. This tightness exerts a continuous, static pressure on foot sensors even when the wearer is completely still.
If the system is not zeroed to account for this, the sensors will interpret the tightness of the laces as part of the user's active load. Manual zeroing subtracts this specific "pre-load" value from the total measurement.
Why Suspension is Required
For the zeroing process to be accurate, the user must be seated with their feet suspended and relaxed.
This position ensures that absolutely no body weight is applied to the sensors during calibration. If the feet touch the ground, gravity and weight transfer will skew the baseline, rendering future data inaccurate.
Ensuring Data Precision
Isolating Effective Loads
The objective of foot pressure measurement is to analyze the kinetic impact of work activities. You need to capture the forces of walking, lifting, and standing.
By effectively "ignoring" the shoe's internal pressure, the equipment can isolate these dynamic forces. This results in a measurement of "effective load"—the force that actually impacts the musculoskeletal system during movement.
Accuracy in Kinetic Metrics
Precise calibration is directly responsible for the validity of key metrics like peak pressure and impulse values.
Without a clean zero point, these values would be artificially inflated by the baseline pressure of the shoe. A proper manual zero ensures these metrics represent the true physiological stress on the foot.
Common Pitfalls in Calibration
The Risk of Ground Contact
A common error occurs if the subject allows their feet to rest on the floor, even slightly, during the zeroing phase.
If this happens, the system effectively "tares" the weight of the user. When the user subsequently stands up, the reported pressure will be significantly lower than reality, invalidating the study.
Adjusting Footwear Post-Calibration
The zeroing process captures the specific pressure profile of the shoe laces at that exact moment.
If the user re-ties or adjusts their laces after the zeroing process is complete, the calibration is no longer valid. The new pressure distribution will be recorded as active load data, introducing error into the analysis.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To ensure your foot pressure data is robust and defensible, adhere to the following setup protocols:
- If your primary focus is absolute data accuracy: Ensure the subject's feet are completely suspended in the air, with no ground contact, to prevent body weight from corrupting the baseline.
- If your primary focus is consistent repeatability: Instruct the user not to touch their laces or adjust the fit of the safety shoe once the manual zeroing process has been initiated.
A clean, isolated baseline is the non-negotiable foundation of actionable foot kinetic analysis.
Summary Table:
| Calibration Phase | Subject Action | Goal of Step |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Zeroing | Seated with feet suspended | Eliminate lace pressure (pre-load) |
| Baseline Setup | No ground contact | Prevent body weight from skewing 'true zero' |
| Data Collection | Active movement/standing | Record only effective physiological loads |
| Maintenance | No footwear adjustment | Preserve calibration integrity post-zeroing |
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References
- Steven Simon, Michael Fröhlich. Impact of Fatigue on Ergonomic Risk Scores and Foot Kinetics: A Field Study Employing Inertial and In-Shoe Plantar Pressure Measurement Devices. DOI: 10.3390/s24041175
This article is also based on technical information from 3515 Knowledge Base .
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