THE INFLUENCE OF BACKPACK CARRIAGE ON TRUNK POSTURE IN CHILDREN DURING UNPLANNED GAIT TERMINATION

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the trunk posture in children with different backpack loads during unplanned gait termination. Twelve school boys aged 9–10 years completed unplanned and planned gait termination with a backpack load of 0%, 10%, and 15% of their body weight (BW) while level walking. Trunk inclination angle and trunk range of motion at sagittal plane and spinal angle at frontal plane were examined. In comparison with 0% BW load condition, the spinal angle increased significantly at 10% and 15% BW load condition during gait termination (p<0.05). The spinal angle was significantly larger under unplanned gait termination than that in planned gait termination. Therefore, unplanned gait termination and carrying a load heavier than 10% BW of the subject were found to significantly influence trunk posture.