Influence of a New Backpack Design on Kinematics and Dynamics of Walking

The backpacks influence the posture of the walkers. The object of this study is to quantify the modifications of the posture but also the modifications during gait, in differs configurations load: (a) without backpack, (b) with a commercial backpack, and with a prototype of which it is possible to make move part of the load, (c) behind of the trunk and (d) in front of the trunk. To evaluate this new design, 13 subjects were asked to walk, in straight line at their natural walking speed. Kinematics and dynamics data were recorded by a Vicon optoelectronic system and 2 force platforms (Kistler). The results show that the forward load condition (d) allows the raising of the walker trunk. Consequently, the postural attitude of the walker is closer to normal walk attitude (without load). For the dynamic data, no significant difference was noted between the 3 conditions of walk with backpack.

[1]  S L Lightman,et al.  Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Function , 2002, Archives of physiology and biochemistry.

[2]  R. Norman,et al.  Effects of load placement on back muscle activity in load carriage , 2004, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[3]  K. Holt,et al.  How do load carriage and walking speed influence trunk coordination and stride parameters? , 2003, Journal of biomechanics.

[4]  S. Legg,et al.  Subjective perceptual methods for comparing backpacks. , 1997, Ergonomics.

[5]  J. Knapik,et al.  Load carriage using packs: a review of physiological, biomechanical and medical aspects. , 1996, Applied ergonomics.

[6]  R. Lloyd,et al.  The oxygen consumption with unloaded walking and load carriage using two different backpack designs , 2000, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[7]  S J Legg,et al.  Comparison of five modes of carrying a load close to the trunk. , 1985, Ergonomics.

[8]  S. Simon,et al.  Biomechanical and metabolic effects of varying backpack loading on simulated marching , 2000, Ergonomics.

[9]  R. C. Nelson,et al.  The effect of carried loads on the walking patterns of men and women. , 1986, Ergonomics.

[10]  M. Holewijn.  Physiological strain due to load carrying , 2004, European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology.

[11]  Everett Harman,et al.  The distribution of forces between the upper and lower back during load carriage. , 2004, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[12]  T. Cook,et al.  The effects of load placement on the EMG activity of the low back muscles during load carrying by men and women. , 1987, Ergonomics.

[13]  H. Kinoshita,et al.  Effects of different loads and carrying systems on selected biomechanical parameters describing walking gait. , 1985, Ergonomics.