Analysis of the effects of carrying a backpack on the angles of the hip and knee during gait

In this article, an analysis was conducted concerning how the angles of the hip and knee were affected when the test subject walked carrying a backpack weighing 0%, 10%, 15% and 20% of their respective body weight. The study was conducted with ten people of both male and female gender. To obtain significant results, a correlation technique was used to compare the angles obtained during the walk due to the hip and knee joints and walking pattern of each subject. It was found that loads exceeding 10% of the subject´s body weight produced significant alterations in the angles, which led to increased physical exertion especially in the lower knee joints. These effects were further perceptible by exposing the subject to testing after an exercise session.