EFFECT OF LOAD ON GAIT

Introduction: Material Handling is one of the major activities performed by the workforce in the present scenario in industries. Our study aims to do the experiment with 22 different subjects and to collect the data using MiniSun IDEEA3 Gait Analysis instrument and to analyse the parameters Speed, EE and Stride length and find preventable measures to reduce fall risk. Material and Methods: Gait analysis experiment has been done with the subject with backpack and double pack with load of 5 kg and 10 kg. In the Industrial scenario, from construction site to cement industry, workers are carrying the load from one place to another. For instance, the typical scenario includes the transferring the load in backpack. All experiments were done in the institutegymnastic. Our study methodology deals with the conditions of experimentation, how sensors, recorder and sub recorder attached to subject body and how its working. This includes subject experiment conditions such as subject is walking on even surface and stairs with 5 kg backpack, 10 kg backpack and 5 kg double pack. When subject walks, data gets collected in recorder from sub recorder through wirelessly. Results: When subject walks with 10 kg backpack load gait parameters shows the worst condition i.e. prone to fall. However, if 10 kg backpack load distributed to 5 kg each side front and rear i.e. called double pack result shows a reliable change i.e. a safe limit to prevent the fall risk. So rather than preferring a backpack, double pack would be recommendable to prevent fall risk. The reason behind speed reduction is shorter steps with carrying load as compare to no load, which fails to maintain minimum unimpaired walking speed 55m/min. But greater than 75 m/min suggested to exceptional life expectancy. But not prove to be best in reduced fall risk while carrying. When load increases, speed get decreases, energy expenditure increases, stride length decreases. These all-gait parameters indicate a significant change that is the major cause of fall during manual material handling in industries. Conclusion: So those with high BMI if carry material in manual material handling industries, the Speed and EE will be major and considerable factor to fall. Thus Speed and energy expenditure needs to be investigated with Influence of walking speed, external load, energy expenditure and power on gait characteristics, to find the relationship between the risk of injury to kinematic changes due to external load on speed, energy expenditure and power.