Abstract
College students often walk while carrying backpacks and looking at phones. Changes in gait due to these effects should be identified to warn of possible postural changes. PURPOSE: Determine if a weighted backpack (BA), phone use (PH), and a combination (BP) has any effect on gait parameters while walking. METHODS: Twenty-two participants walked five meters three times in control (CO), BA, PH, and BP while recorded by a three-dimensional tracking app (OpenCapAI) for a total of twelve trials. Participants were measured for height and weight without shoes which was then used to calculate 15% bodyweight to place in the backpack. Gait speed, stride length, cadence, double support, step width, and step length symmetry were measured. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze and compare the mean of each condition. Alpha was set at .05. RESULTS: Gait speed: significance between CO and PH & BP (both p=0.001) and between BA and PH (p=0.002) & BP (p=0.001). Stride length: significance between CO and PH & BP (both p=0.001) as well as between BA and PH (p=0.027) & BP (p=0.008). Cadence: significance between CO and PH (p=0.041) & BP (p=0.004) as well as between BA and BP (p=0.006). Double support: significance between CO and PH (p=0.032) & BP (p=0.002). There was no significant difference between any condition for step width nor step length symmetry. CONCLUSION: Walking with a weighted backpack and/or walking while texting elicits significant differences in most gait parameters measured. Action should be taken to prevent further change in gait parameters of lower extremities to avoid potential discomfort and pain.
Recommended Citation
Cantu, Celina M. and Smith, John D.
(2025)
"Effect of Weighted Backpack and Texting While Walking on Gait Parameters,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
17, Article 125.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/125
Included in
Health and Physical Education Commons, Medical Education Commons, Sports Sciences Commons
