Abstract
Human health and wellbeing is very important in determining the health level of the world population. Healthy lifestyle contributes to healthier ageing population. Practicing good self-care management during treatment for medical conditions, sports injuries and compression therapy will assist in speedy recovery yet increase the quality of life. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the performance of selected textile products and their contribution to the health of the lower leg. Each product selected in this study has important impact in delivering better practices for healthier lifestyle.
There were three parts of this study. Part I aimed to identify foot coverings practices by patients suffering diabetes mellitus (DM) in hot and humid climate i.e. Malaysia. Data from the interview provided better knowledge and understanding for further intervention on appropriate foot coverings (e.g. socks, shoes, insoles) that correctly suited the temperature and humidity of the tropical environment (i.e. 30 ± 5°C, 70 to 90% R.H.). Analysis consists of basic demographics, daily activities, type of foot coverings used, diabetes education and foot diseases suffered by patients. Most patients do not have healthy foot covering practices due to the hot and humid environment that increase the tendency of sweating and discomfort of wearing socks and proper shoes in preventing injuries amongst diabetic foot. Lack of knowledge in healthy practices of foot coverings has contributed to the poor foot covering practices.
Part II of this study was about impact attenuation provided by Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) i.e. field hockey shin guards. Shin guards selected for the investigation were tested for maximum force (N), impulse (N.s) and damage area. New attachments were fabricated specifically for this research to better simulate the real life situation i.e. single impact and repeated impacts. The use of a sock over the shin guard also contributed to understanding the impact events. The accumulation of damage (i.e. repeated impacts) is more significant than the single impact. This situation might weaken the shin guards’ performance. Impairment to the assembly of both shin guards, which analysed using the CT-scan showing the capacity of shin guards in absorbing impact energy, and reduces the amount of impact energy transferred to the lower leg.
Part III of this thesis was on multiaxial stress-relaxation of bandage fabrics. Bandages are commonly used for dressings, and it is important in care of wounds and injuries such as sprains to promote healing, and to prevent further harm to the wound/injury. Part III of this thesis investigates the behaviour of selected bandage fabrics during multiaxial stress-relaxation for five days using two different ball circumferences. Bandages were extended for 20% and left on an Instron machine for stress-relaxation. The change over time was investigated by analysing the rate of change over twenty-four hours and five days. The stress-relaxation of both bandages was swiftly decreased for the first 15 minutes and decreased at a slower rate for the next 12-hour period. Then, the stress-relaxation of both bandage fabrics continued to decrease gradually for the next 12 hours and with a constant rate up to five days of testing. This circumstance suggests rewrapping after twelve hours of compression therapy to optimise the compression given to the lower leg.
In all three parts of this thesis, the impact of textile products in providing better routine practices by minimising injuries and optimising the product performances for a better health of the lower leg were studied. Each part represents the importance of textile products in ensuring healthier population. This research would benefit in enhancing textile products for better quality of life. The new approaches not only relevant in real life but also important for the manufacturers in designing better products with enhanced performance.