Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Lower-Limb Biomechanical Characteristics Associated with Unplanned Gait Termination Under Different Walking Speeds
Published on: August 25, 2020
Effects of backpack carriage on gait parameters in children
Barbara H Connolly1, Brad Cook, Stacey Hunter
1Department of Physical Therapy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, USA. bconnolly@utmem.edu
Purpose:
Carrying a backpack over 2 shoulders is the most efficient means of carriage, but often backpacks are carried over 1 shoulder. Our purpose was to assess walking base of support, stride length, double support time, and velocity when backpacks were carried on 1 or 2 shoulders.
Methods:
Thirty-two children (12-13 years) were assessed under 2 load conditions using the GAITRite system.
Results:
No significant differences were found in base of support, stride length, or velocity when compared with the unloaded baseline walk. Double limb support significantly increased (p < 0.0001) with both load conditions when compared with the baseline, but not between 1-shoulder and 2-shoulders carriage.
Conclusion:
Little change in temporal-spatial gait parameters was noted during backpack use with loads limited to 15% body weight. Future studies need to examine the effects of the child's height, body mass index, and strength on safe backpack use.
