The effects of anterior load carriage on lower limb gait parameters during obstacle clearance

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of anterior load carriage on obstacle-crossing behaviour, with a focus on lower limb gait parameters. Nine male participants (age 23+/-1.8 years, height 176+/-5.0cm) volunteered. Participants either walked without a load (No Load), or carried a load (2KG (empty box), 5KG, 10KG), and stepped over a 20cm obstacle. Vision of the obstacle was obscured 1.0m to 1.3m prior to the obstacle. Significant correlations were found between trail limb toe distance and lead limb toe clearance, in the 2KG, 5KG, and 10KG conditions. Toe clearance increased with load (No Load, 147.3+/-13.9mm; 2KG, 162.5+/-15.6mm; 5KG, 167.6+/-17.6mm; 10KG, 173.9+/-17.5mm; p<0.0001). Trail limb toe distance, trail limb toe distance variability, lead heel distance variability, and lead limb toe clearance variability were greater in the 2KG, 5KG, and 10KG conditions, compared with the No Load condition. Participants adopted a conservative gait pattern during obstacle crossing when carrying a load, evidenced by increasing toe clearance, which may have been influenced by availability of visual information regarding obstacle position. In contrast with previous literature, increased lead limb toe clearance may have been associated with absence of relative surface height difference pre- and post-obstacle crossing.