Carrying asymmetric loads during stair negotiation.

Gait Posture

Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.

Published: March 2017

Individuals often carry items in one hand instead of both hands during activities of daily living. The combined effects of carrying asymmetric loads and stair negotiation may create even higher demands on the low back and lower extremity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of symmetric and asymmetric loading conditions on L5/S1 and lower extremity moments during stair negotiation. Twenty-two college students performed stair ascent and stair descent on a three-step staircase (step height 18.5cm, tread depth 29.5cm) at preferred pace under five load conditions: no load, 10% body weight (BW) unilateral load, 20% BW unilateral load, 10% BW bilateral load, and 20% BW bilateral load. Video cameras and force platforms were used to collect kinematic and kinetic data. Inverse dynamics was used to calculate frontal plane moments for the L5/S1 and lower extremity. A 20% BW unilateral load resulted in significantly higher peak L5/S1 lateral bending, hip abduction, and external knee varus moments than nearly all other loading conditions during stair ascent and stair descent. Therefore, we suggest potential benefits when carrying symmetrical loads as compared to an asymmetric load in order to decrease the frontal joint moments, particularly at 20% BW load.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.01.006DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

stair negotiation
12
lower extremity
12
unilateral load
12
load
9
carrying asymmetric
8
asymmetric loads
8
loads stair
8
loading conditions
8
l5/s1 lower
8
stair ascent
8

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!