
BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF THE WALKING OF
ENCUMBERED AND UNENCUMBERED MALES
Barbara May, James Shippen & Andree Woodcock
Coventry University, UK
This study investigates the biomechanical and postural tasks of able-
bodied males undertaking unencumbered and encumbered walking
journeys carrying a 5 kgs, 10 kgs and 20 kgs weighted holdall uni-
laterally in one hand. The journeys were timed and analysed using
3-dimensional motion capture and muscle modelling techniques.
Analysis indicated that the trunk bends towards the contralateral
(unloaded) side to compensate for perturbation from the external
load. Forces generated in trunk muscles were greatest on