GAIT PATTERN, HEART RATE AND BLOOD PRESSURE OF CHILDREN IN LOAD CARRIAGE

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the gait pattern with increased carrying weight in children. Fifteen male children, aged 10.31, were selected from a primary school to carry school bags of 1o%, 15% and 20% of their own body weight, and no load (0% as control). Subjects walked at 1 .I m.s-' for 20 min on the treadmill. Walking movement was recorded in two dimensions by a video camera at 50 Hz and analysed on a motion analysis system. Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded before, throughout and until 5 min after the walk. Loads of 20% and 15% body weight induced increases in trunk forward inclination, stride frequency, and single leg support time, as well as blood pressure recovery time, but decreases in stride length when compared to 10% body weight. No differences in heart rate responses were found between all load conditions.