Kradal shock-absorbing Flooring
An Evidence-based Flooring Solution

Researchers from University of Karlstad (Sweden) spent more than 2 years to study the effectiveness of impact-absorbing flooring in an elderly nursing home.

The elderly were divided into Group A (ordinary flooring) and Group B (impact absorbing flooring).

Over the research period, there were 77 falls and 13 falls with injury in Group A and Group B respectively.  After adjusted for age and other characteristics, impact absorbing flooring significantly reduced the rate of fall by nearly 60%.

The findings were published in Injury Prevention, British Medical Journal, 2015.

Researchers from University of Waterloo (Canada) studied the effect of safety tiles on the dynamic balance control of elders in retirement home.

Data were collected to track the onset of compensatory balance reaction.

Different tests indicate that the safety tiles tested have no negative influence on balance control.

The findings were published in Gait and Posture, 2014.

Researchers from University of Auckland (New Zealand) compared the cost-effectiveness of hip protectors and impact absorbing flooring, for a cohort of 10,000 elderly persons in residential home.

Based on the cost of treating a hip fracture, and the projected 67% reduction of hip fractures after installing impact absorbing flooring, the overall cost saving amount to $411,093 for 10,000 elderly persons in one year.

It was concluded that impact absorbing flooring could lead to better outcomes and saved money. (CHSRP Report, 2008, University of Auckland, School of Population Health).