Effects of Mattress Material on Body Pressure Profiles in Different Sleeping Postures
Study by F. Z. Low, M. C. Chua, P. Y. Lim and C. H. Yeow
Pressure Mapping Study · Journal of Chiropractic Medicine (Vol. 16, Issue 1, pp. 1-9) · DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2016.09.002
Key Takeaway
Latex Spread Body Pressure More Evenly Than Polyurethane Foam
What was tested: 20 people lay on a latex mattress and a polyurethane foam mattress in 3 sleeping postures for 6 minutes each, while a pressure mat recorded where their body pressed hardest (Low et al., 2017).
What the numbers showed: The latex mattress lowered peak body pressure on the torso and buttocks and gave a larger share of low-pressure areas than the polyurethane mattress, across the postures tested.
What this means for you: Latex may spread your weight more evenly than basic polyurethane foam. The study did not test pocket springs, spinal alignment or sleep, and only lasted minutes per posture.
Key Numbers
How the Study Was Done
Researchers asked 20 participants to lie on two mattresses, one latex and one polyurethane foam, in 3 different postures for 6 minutes each. A pressure mat sensor under the body recorded the contact pressure profile each time (Low et al., 2017).
Pressure mapping shows where the body presses into the mattress hardest. It measures pressure, not how straight the spine is or how well a person sleeps.
What the Study Compared
Latex Mattress
Lower peak pressure on the torso and buttocks and a larger share of low-pressure areas.
Polyurethane Foam Mattress
Higher peak body pressure and a less even spread of pressure across the postures tested.
What the Study Found
The latex mattress reduced peak body pressure on the torso and buttocks and achieved a higher proportion of low-pressure regions than the polyurethane mattress. The authors conclude that latex gave a more even spread of pressure across the different sleeping postures (Low et al., 2017).
A separate study looked at firmness and the spine. With 16 healthy adults lying on their backs, a soft mattress raised the head and neck curve and a hard mattress reduced the lower back curve by about 10.6 mm compared with a medium mattress. The hard mattress also raised contact pressure (Hong et al., 2022).
An earlier version of this page cited a 2017 study of pocket springs versus latex whose DOI belongs to an unrelated paper. We could not find that study or any other published study that compares pocket springs with latex for spinal alignment, so its figures have been removed. The abstract we read for Low et al. does not state who funded it.
How to Apply This Study When Choosing a Mattress
What it tells you: Latex may relieve pressure points better than basic polyurethane foam.
There is no published head-to-head study we could find of pocket springs versus latex for the spine. Choose on feel and support, and use the trial period to check for pressure points and back comfort.
Study Scope and Limitations
20 people, 2 mattresses, and 6 minutes per posture. The study measured surface pressure only, not spinal alignment or sleep, and did not test pocket springs or any named brand.
Primary Citation
Low, F. Z., Chua, M. C., Lim, P. Y., & Yeow, C. H. (2017). Effects of mattress material on body pressure profiles in different sleeping postures. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 16(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2016.09.002