Gait & Posture
Volume 23, Issue 2 , Pages 133-141, February 2006

Changes in stature and spine kinematics during a loaded walking task

  • N.E. Fowler

      Affiliations

    • Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, The Manchester Metropolitan University, Hassal Road, Alsager Stoke-on-Trent, England ST7 2HL, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +44 161 247 5491; fax: +44 161 247 6375.
    • ,
  • A.L.F. Rodacki

      Affiliations

    • Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, The Manchester Metropolitan University, Hassal Road, Alsager Stoke-on-Trent, England ST7 2HL, UK
    • Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Paraná, Brazil
    • ,
  • C.D. Rodacki

      Affiliations

    • Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, The Manchester Metropolitan University, Hassal Road, Alsager Stoke-on-Trent, England ST7 2HL, UK
    • Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Paraná, Brazil

Received 2 March 2004; received in revised form 30 July 2004; accepted 24 December 2004. published online 08 February 2005.

Abstract 

The aim of the present study was to quantify the kinematics of the spine and stature loss induced by the asymmetric load carriage. Six healthy males with no history of low-back disorders walked at their self-selected pace for 8500m with and without a standard Royal Mail bag (model MB36) containing 17.5% of the participant's body mass. The load was reduced gradually during the task. The loaded condition produced a stature loss double that observed in the unloaded condition. Increased forward leaning (up to 6°) and lateral bending of the spine (up to 12°) was observed with load. Thoracic adjustments occurred in the sagittal plane, changes in the lumbar area occurred in the frontal plane. The data provided evidence against mailbags designs in which the workers cannot alternate the side of the mailbag.

Keywords: Load carriage, Ergonomics, Back pain, Spinal motion, Locomotion, Stature change

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0966-6362(05)00005-6

doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2004.12.006

Gait & Posture
Volume 23, Issue 2 , Pages 133-141, February 2006

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution