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Carrying Asymmetric Loads While Walking on a Treadmill Interferes with Lower Limb Coordination
Junsig Wang1, Mitchell L Stephenson2, Chris J Hass3
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Science, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
Summary
Carrying loads asymmetrically alters lower limb coordination during walking. Symmetric load carriage may reduce abnormal gait patterns, suggesting benefits for daily activities.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Load carriage is common in daily activities and military operations.
- Understanding its effect on gait is crucial for injury prevention and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how different load carriage modes affect lower extremity coordination during walking.
- To compare symmetric versus asymmetric load conditions on gait patterns.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-five university students walked on a treadmill under three conditions: symmetric load (5% body mass), asymmetric load 1 (10% body mass, vertical), and asymmetric load 2 (10% body mass, draped).
- Kinematic data of lower extremities during gait were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Asymmetric loads (1 and 2) altered thigh-shank and shank-foot coordination on the loaded side during stance compared to symmetric loads.
- Thigh-thigh coupling changed between asymmetric load 2 and symmetric load.
- No significant differences in intralimb or interlimb couplings were found between the two asymmetric load conditions.
Conclusions:
- Symmetric load carriage may be beneficial for reducing abnormal limb coordination during walking.
- Distributing load symmetrically could help prevent abnormal gait patterns in daily life.
