The Influence of Load Carrying Methods on Gait of Healthy Women

Various load configurations on healthy men, but not women, have been examined. Women were found to have higher incidence of musculoskeletal injuries when carrying a heavy load during basic training. The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in gait patterns of healthy women while carrying a 10 Kg. load on the back, around the waist, and across one shoulder. The investigators further evaluated the influence of shoulder muscle strength on their gait with three load carrying configurations. Nine healthy women without existing orthopedic problems in the spine and legs were recruited for this study, ranging in ages from 22 to 32 years. with a mean of 25.2. Their height ranged from 148 to 179 centimeters, with a mean of 161.8. Their weight ranged from 45 to 74.1 kilograms, with a mean of 57.7. Fourteen reflective markers were placed on the subjects' trunk and legs. Two videocameras were used to film the subject walking along a 10 meter walkway. Each subject was first required to walk at her self-selected speed without any load to establish a baseline and then, in random order, walk with a 10-Kg. load on the back, around the waist, and diagonally across one shoulder. The videotape was analyzed using the Ariel Performance Analysis System. Angles of trunk, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle were calculated. Torque output of subject's shoulder flexors, extensors, abductors, adductors, horizontal abductors, and horizontal adductors were measured on a Biodex II isokinetic dynamometer. The original document contains color images. Pres: RTO Human Factors and Medicine Panel (HFM) Specialists' Meeting, Kingston, Canada,p10-1/10-6, 27-29 Jun 2000. This article is from ADA394945 Soldier Mobility: Innovations in Load Carriage System Design and Evaluation (la Mobilite du combattant: innovations dans la conception et l'evaluation des gilets d'intervention)