SHOCK ATTENUATION MECHANISM AT THE BACKPACK WEIGHT CHANGE IN DROP LANDINGS

Authors

  • Kijeong Nam
  • Chulsoo Chung
  • Jungsuk Seo
  • Sukbum Kim
  • David O'Sullivan

Keywords:

shock attenuation mechanism, backpack, drop landing

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the shock attenuation mechanisms while varying the loads in a backpack during drop landing. Ten subjects (age: 22.8±3.6, height: 173.5±4.3, weight: 70.4±5.2) performed drop landing under five varying loads (0, 5kg, 10kg, 20kg, 30kg). By employing two cameras (Sony VX2100) the following kinematic variables (phase time, joint rotational angle and velocity of ankle, knee and hip) were calculated by applying 2D motion analysis. Additional data, i.e. max vertical ground force (VGRF) and acceleration, was acquired by using two AMTI Force plates and a Noraxon Inline Accelerometer Sensor. Through analysing the power spectrum density (PSD), drop landing patterns were classified into four groups and each group was discovered to have a different shock attenuation mechanism. The first pattern that appeared at landing was that the right leg absorbed most of the shock attenuation. The second pattern to appear was that subject quickly transferred the load from the right leg to the left leg as quickly as possible. Thus, this illustrated that two shock attenuation mechanisms occurred during drop landing under varying load conditions.

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Published

2007-11-01