Lumbar and hip joint contact forces during load carriage with different backpack designs

A musculoskeletal model that incorporates backpack attachments at the torso and pelvis was developed to evaluate load carriage effects during walking in military service members wearing backpacks with/without a hip-belt. Compressive L4-L5 and axial hip joint contact forces were not significantly different between backpack designs, suggesting that load magnitude may be more important than equipment design in reducing injury risk.