Investigation of trunk movement with different load locations in the initial phase of gait

Trunk movements and centre of body mass at the start of gait with 15% of young male subject’s body weights placed in a backpack upper and lower locations on the back were explored using a 3D motion analyser with force plates and EMG for the trunk and lower limbs. The lateral flexion range of the trunk with upper load placement in the initial phase of gait was smaller than that of lower load placement. This suggests that a postural control mechanism enabled less movement substitution at a higher centre of gravity (COG) in the high load position.