The effect of school trolley load on spatiotemporal gait parameters of children

- The effect of school trolley load on gait parameters of children was studied.
- We used four load conditions: without trolley, 10, 15 and 20% of body weight.
- None of the gait parameters studied differed significantly between the loads.
- Gait was influenced by the use of the trolley independently of the load transported.

ObjectiveThe present study evaluated spatiotemporal gait parameters in children when they were carrying school trolleys of different weights.MethodsWe assessed four conditions: without trolley, 10%, 15% and 20% of the subject's body weight. Fourteen students from a primary school (aged 11.43 ± 0.51 years) participated in this study. Velocity, cadence, stride length, stance phase, swing phase, single support phase and double support phase were analysed using an electronic walkway.ResultsCompared with normal walking, the three load conditions produced significant decreases in swing phase (p < 0.001) and single support phase (p < 0.001) and significant increases in cadence (p = 0.019), stance phase (p < 0.001) and double support phase (p < 0.001). No statistically-significant differences were found between the three load conditions.ConclusionCompared with normal walking, walking while carrying a trolley produced significant changes in most of the spatiotemporal gait parameters measured, perhaps due to the load-mediated changes in stability and balance. The spatiotemporal gait parameters were similar between the load conditions, indicating that the amount of load did not affect gait.