Laboratory Analysis of Backpack Design and Walking Gradient Effects on Gait Kinetics and Kinematics
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Design
2.2. Equipment
2.3. Procedure
2.4. Data Collection
2.5. Statistical Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Lumbar Extension
3.2. Centre of Pressure
4. Discussion
4.1. Lumbar Extension
4.2. Centre of Pressure
5. Limitations
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
COP | Centre of pressure |
LE | Lumbar extension |
BBP | Balance backpack |
NBP | No backpack |
TBP | Traditional backpack |
References
- Lynch, P.; Dibben, M. Exploring motivations for adventure recreation events: A New Zealand study. Ann. Leis. Res. 2016, 19, 80–97. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Summer Tramping Outlook. Available online: https://www.mountainsafety.org.nz (accessed on 20 August 2023).
- Knight, C.A.; Caldwell, G.E. Muscular and metabolic costs of uphill backpacking: Are hiking poles beneficial? Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2000, 32, 2093–2101. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Orloff, H.; White, M.; Tanaka, L. The effects of fatigue and backpack design on posture. In Proceedings of the 17 International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports, Perth, Australia, 30 June–6 July 1999. [Google Scholar]
- Lloyd, R.; Cooke, C.B. Kinetic changes associated with load carriage using two rucksack designs. Ergonomics 2000, 43, 1331–1341. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dahl, K.D.; Wang, H.; Popp, J.K.; Dickin, D.C. Load distribution and postural changes in young adults when wearing a traditional backpack versus the BackTpack. Gait Posture 2016, 45, 90–96. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Liu, B.-S. Backpack load positioning and walking surface slope effects on physiological responses in infantry soldiers. Int. J. Ind. Ergon. 2007, 37, 754–760. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Wells-Fahling, K. Effects of Two Backpack Weight Distributions on Perceptual and Physiological Measures During Walking. Ph.D. Thesis, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA, 2002. [Google Scholar]
- Mahachandra, M.; Prastawa, H.; Rosyada, Z.F.; Fatmala, T. Ergonomics redesign of mountain backpack for female hikers in Indonesia. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 5–8 April 2021; pp. 1633–1639. [Google Scholar]
- Rosa, R.G.D.; Gomeñuka, N.A.; Oliveira, H.B.D.; Peyré-Tartaruga, L.A. Inclined Weight-Loaded Walking at Different Speeds: Pelvis-Shoulder Coordination, Trunk Movements and Cost of Transport. J. Mot. Behav. 2018, 50, 73–79. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Simpson, K.M.; Munro, B.J.; Steele, J.R. Effect of load mass on posture, heart rate and subjective responses of recreational female hikers to prolonged load carriage. Appl. Ergon. 2011, 42, 403–410. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Simpson, K.M.; Munro, B.J.; Steele, J.R. Effects of prolonged load carriage on ground reaction forces, lower limb kinematics and spatio-temporal parameters in female recreational hikers. Ergonomics 2012, 55, 316–326. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Castro, M.P.; Figueiredo, M.C.; Abreu, S.; Sousa, H.; Machado, L.; Santos, R.; Vilas-Boas, J.P. The influence of gait cadence on the ground reaction forces and plantar pressures during load carriage of young adults. Appl. Ergon. 2015, 49, 41–46. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Attwells, R.L.; Birrell, S.A.; Hooper, R.H.; Mansfield, N.J. Influence of carrying heavy loads on soldiers’ posture, movements and gait. Ergonomics 2006, 49, 1527–1537. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Li, S.S.W.; Zheng, Y.-P.; Chow, D.H.K. Changes of lumbosacral joint compression force profile when walking caused by backpack loads. Hum. Mov. Sci. 2019, 66, 164–172. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Watanabe, K.; Wang, Y. Influence of Backpack Load and Gait Speed on Plantar Forces During Walking. Res. Sports Med. 2013, 21, 395–401. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mancini, M.; Horak, F.B. The Relevance of Clinical Balance Assessment Tools to Differentiate Balance Deficits. Eur. J. Phys. Rehabil. Med. 2010, 46, 239–248. [Google Scholar]
- Prieto, T.E.; Myklebust, J.B.; Hoffmann, R.G.; Lovett, E.G.; Myklebust, B.M. Measures of Postural Steadiness: Differences between Healthy Young and Elderly Adults. IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 1996, 43, 956–966. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Collins, J.J.; De Luca, C.J. Open-Loop and Closed-Loop Control of Posture: A Random-Walk Analysis of Center-of-Pressure Trajectories. Exp. Brain Res. 1993, 95, 308–318. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Martin, J.; Kearney, J.; Nestrowitz, S.; Burke, A.; Sax van der Weyden, M. Effects of load carriage on measures of postural sway in healthy, young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Appl. Ergon. 2023, 106, 103893. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Machado, Á.S.; Priego-Quesada, J.I.; Jimenez-Perez, I.; Gil-Calvo, M.; Carpes, F.P.; Perez-Soriano, P. Effects of different hydration supports on stride kinematics, comfort, and impact accelerations during running. Gait Posture 2022, 97, 115–121. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Heglund, N.C.; Willems, P.A.; Penta, M.; Cavagna, G.A. Energy-saving gait mechanics with head-supported loads. Nature 1995, 375, 52–54. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jamshidi, N.; Rostami, M.; Najarian, S.; Menhaj, M.B.; Saadatnia, M.; Salami, F. Differences in center of pressure trajectory between normal and steppage gait. J. Res. Med. Sci. 2010, 15, 33–40. [Google Scholar]
- Al-Khabbaz, Y.S.S.M.; Shimada, T.; Hasegawa, M. The effect of backpack heaviness on trunk-lower extremity muscle activities and trunk posture. Gait Posture 2008, 28, 297–302. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Devroey, C.; Jonkers, I.; de Becker, A.; Lenaerts, G.; Spaepen, A. Evaluation of the effect of backpack load and position during standing and walking using biomechanical, physiological and subjective measures. Ergonomics 2007, 50, 728–742. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Alexander, N.; Schwameder, H. Lower limb joint forces during walking on the level and slopes at different inclinations. Gait Posture 2016, 45, 137–142. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Lewis, C.L.; Sahrmann, S.A. Effect of posture on hip angles and moments during gait. Man. Ther. 2015, 20, 176–182. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Hulleck, A.A.; Menoth Mohan, D.; Abdallah, N.; El Rich, M.; Khalaf, K. Present and Future of Gait Assessment in Clinical Practice: Towards the Application of Novel Trends and Technologies. Front. Med. Technol. 2022, 4, 901331. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Yamaguchi, T.; Shibata, K.; Wada, H.; Kakehi, H.; Hokkirigawa, K. Effect of Foot–Floor Friction on the External Moment About the Body Center of Mass During Shuffling Gait: A Pilot Study. Sci. Rep. 2021, 11, 12133. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kim, H.Y. Statistical Notes for Clinical Researchers: Two-Way Analysis of Variance (Anova)-Exploring Possible Interaction between Factors. Restor. Dent. Endod. 2014, 39, 143–147. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lakens, D. Calculating and Reporting Effect Sizes to Facilitate Cumulative Science: A Practical Primer for T-Tests and Anovas. Front. Psychol. 2013, 4, 863. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lee, S.; Lee, D.K. What Is the Proper Way to Apply the Multiple Comparison Test? Korean J. Anesthesiol. 2018, 71, 353–360. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Li, S.S.W.; Chow, D.H.K. Multi-objective analysis for assessing simultaneous changes in regional spinal curvatures under backpack carriage in young adults. Ergonomics 2016, 59, 1494–1504. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- LaFiandra, M.; Wagenaar, R.C.; Holt, K.G.; Obusek, J.P. How do load carriage and walking speed influence trunk coordination and stride parameters? J. Biomech. 2003, 36, 87–95. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Morrison, A.; Hale, J.; Brown, S. Joint range of motion entropy changes in response to load carriage in military personnel. Hum. Mov. Sci. 2019, 66, 249–257. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Smith, B.; Ashton, K.M.; Bohl, D.; Clark, R.C.; Metheny, J.B.; Klassen, S. Influence of carrying a backpack on pelvic tilt, rotation, and obliquity in female college students. Gait Posture 2006, 23, 263–267. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Roberts, M.; Talbot, C.; Kay, A.; Price, M.; Hill, M. Changes in postural sway and gait characteristics as a consequence of anterior load carriage. Gait Posture 2018, 66, 139–145. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Simpson, K.M.; Munro, B.J.; Steele, J.R. Backpack load affects lower limb muscle activity patterns of female hikers during prolonged load carriage. J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol. 2011, 21, 782–788. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Safran, M.R.; Giordano, G.; Lindsey, D.P.; Gold, G.E.; Rosenberg, J.; Zaffagnini, S.; Giori, H.J. Strains across the Acetabular Labrum during Hip Motion: A Cadaveric Model. Am. J. Sports Med. 2011, 39 (Suppl. 1), 92–102. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Variable and Gradient | Backpack Type | ||
---|---|---|---|
NBP | TBP | BBP | |
Average LE (o) | |||
Flat | −11.56 ± (2.10) | −16.30 ± (2.32) | −12.23 ± (2.32) |
Incline | −13.91 ± (1.89) | −17.66 ± (2.37) | −14.20 ± (2.53) |
Decline | −9.64 ± (2.27) | −15.32 ± (2.97) | −10.88 ± (2.51) |
Maximum LE (o) | |||
Flat | −13.06 ± (2.26) | −17.70 ± (2.54) | −13.92 ± (2.90) |
Incline | −15.59 ± (2.08) | −19.15 ± (2.66) | −16.54 ± (3.33) |
Decline | −12.03 ± (2.76) | −15.79 ± (3.04) | −13.07 ± (2.91) |
LE ROM (o) | |||
Flat | 2.51 ± (0.38) | 2.36 ± (0.54) | 2.28 ± (0.51) |
Incline | 2.72 ± (0.89) | 2.98 ± (0.86) | 3.09 ± (0.93) |
Decline | 4.04 ± (0.89) | 3.68 ± (1.44) | 3.41 ± (1.06) |
Average COP displacement (mm) | |||
Flat | 13.32 ± (7.31) | 29.90 ± (8.21) | 14.73 ± (8.28) |
Incline | 35.31 ± (11.02) | 41.92 ± (15.02) | 37.89 ± (15.83) |
Decline | −25.68 ± (9.22) | −22.22 ± (11.84) | −27.87 ± (6.45) |
Maximum COP displacement (mm) | |||
Flat | 103.36 ± (3.51) | 111.31 ± (13.51) | 102.82 ± (9.62) |
Incline | 124.40 ± (14.43) | 137.62 ± (16.17) | 133.31 ± (15.22) |
Decline | 92.32 ± (19.98) | 87.63 ± (14.69) | 90.11 ± (21.01) |
COP ROM (mm) | |||
Flat | 269.89 ± (23.73) | 265.99 ± (24.96) | 262.82 ± (12.34) |
Incline | 292.39 ± (34.70) | 293.53 ± (26.53) | 295.93 ± (29.48) |
Decline | 254.54 ± (34.22) | 241.06 ± (32.14) | 244.45 ± (29.34) |
Variable | Condition | F (p) | Significance (p < 0.05) | Effect Size (η2) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Average LE (o) | Backpack loading | 192.9 (<0.001) | Yes | 0.385 |
Treadmill gradient | 4.0 (0.034) | Yes | 0.162 | |
Maximum LE (o) | Backpack loading | 116.0 (<0.001) | Yes | 0.300 |
LE ROM (o) | Backpack loading | 0.4 (0.626) | No | 0.005 |
Treadmill gradient | 7.3 (<0.001) | Yes | 0.554 | |
Average COP displacement (mm) | Backpack loading | 28.4 (<0.001) | Yes | 0.021 |
Treadmill gradient | 69.7 (<0.001) | Yes | 0.839 | |
Interaction | 4.4 (0.004) | Yes | 0.006 | |
Maximum COP displacement (mm) | Backpack loading | 2.9 (0.070) | No | 0.009 |
Treadmill gradient | 17.8 (<0.001) | Yes | 0.579 | |
Interaction | 3.8 (0.010) | Yes | 0.024 | |
COP ROM (mm) | Backpack loading | 1.4 (0.265) | No | 0.005 |
Treadmill gradient | 6.3 (0.008) | Yes | 0.355 |
Variable | Mean Difference | Adjusted p Value | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
TBP | BBP | TBP | BBP | |
Average LE (o) | ||||
Flat | 4.741 | 0.6687 | <0.001 | 0.374 |
Incline | 3.746 | 0.2888 | <0.001 | 0.622 |
Decline | 5.679 | 1.233 | <0.001 | 0.054 |
Maximum LE (o) | ||||
Level | 4.64 | 0.866 | <0.001 | 0.262 |
Incline | 3.56 | 0.956 | <0.001 | 0.359 |
Decline | 4.95 | 1.233 | <0.001 | 0.223 |
Average COP displacement (mm) | ||||
Level | −1.58 | −0.138 | 0.002 | 0.491 |
Incline | −0.763 | −0.388 | 0.028 | 0.148 |
Decline | −0.471 | 0.1 | 0.030 | 0.855 |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Grigg, T.; Kabaliuk, N.; Walter, S. Laboratory Analysis of Backpack Design and Walking Gradient Effects on Gait Kinetics and Kinematics. Sports 2025, 13, 350. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13100350
Grigg T, Kabaliuk N, Walter S. Laboratory Analysis of Backpack Design and Walking Gradient Effects on Gait Kinetics and Kinematics. Sports. 2025; 13(10):350. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13100350
Chicago/Turabian StyleGrigg, Timothy, Natalia Kabaliuk, and Sibi Walter. 2025. "Laboratory Analysis of Backpack Design and Walking Gradient Effects on Gait Kinetics and Kinematics" Sports 13, no. 10: 350. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13100350
APA StyleGrigg, T., Kabaliuk, N., & Walter, S. (2025). Laboratory Analysis of Backpack Design and Walking Gradient Effects on Gait Kinetics and Kinematics. Sports, 13(10), 350. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13100350