ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of backpack load, speed and gender on gait parameters. Twenty subjects (10 male, 10 female, aged: 21-28 years) were ask to carry a backpack loaded with 0%, 10%, 15% and 20% of their bodyweight (BW) and walked on their preferred walking speed (PWS), 80%PWS and 120%PWS. The changes oflower extremity joint motion, ground reaction force (GRF) and perceived exertion during walking were investigated. The results indicated that the effects of load were more dominant than speed and gender. PWS decreased with increasing backpack weight. With backpack weight increased, gait cycle and double suppmi time increased while stride length remained the same. Decrease of pelvis anterior tilt, hip extension and increase of pelvis posterior tilt were found while backpack load increased. For GRF, the vertical component increased with increasing backpack. Post hoc analysis showed greater differences between backpack weight ofO% BW, 10% BW and 15% BW, but little differences between backpack weight of 15% BW and 20% BW were found. In conclusion,
people tend to walk slower with heavier caniage. Gait pattern changed were adapted by proximal joints. It was reconunended that backpack weight should be limited to the maximum of 15%BW. Subject's age or activity level can be included in future investigations to gain more insights about backpack injury prevention as well as human fitness with backpacking.
