Abstract
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 380-391 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Ergonomics |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
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A kinetic comparison of back-loading and head-loading in Xhosa women. / Lloyd, Ray; Parr, Bridget; Davies, Simeon; Cooke, Carlton.
In: Ergonomics, Vol. 54, No. 4, 2011, p. 380-391.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - A kinetic comparison of back-loading and head-loading in Xhosa women
AU - Lloyd, Ray
AU - Parr, Bridget
AU - Davies, Simeon
AU - Cooke, Carlton
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - The purpose of this study was to compare the kinetic responses associated with ground reaction force measurements to both head-loading and back-loading in a group of Xhosa women. Altogether, 16 women were divided into two groups based on their experience of head-loading. They walked over a force plate in three conditions: unloaded or carrying 20 kg in either a backpack or on their head. The most striking finding was that there was no difference in kinetic response to head-loading as a consequence of previous experience. Considering the differences between the load carriage methods, most changes were consistent with increasing load. Head-loading was, however, associated with a shorter contact time, smaller thrust maximum and greater vertical force minimum than back-loading. Both loading conditions differed from unloaded walking for a number of temporal variables associated with the ground contact phase, e.g. vertical impact peak was delayed whilst vertical thrust maximum occurred earlier. Statement of Relevance: Consideration of the kinetics of head and back load carriage in African women is important from a health and safety perspective, providing an understanding of the mechanical adaptations associated with both forms of load carriage for a group of people for whom such load carriage is a daily necessity.
AB - The purpose of this study was to compare the kinetic responses associated with ground reaction force measurements to both head-loading and back-loading in a group of Xhosa women. Altogether, 16 women were divided into two groups based on their experience of head-loading. They walked over a force plate in three conditions: unloaded or carrying 20 kg in either a backpack or on their head. The most striking finding was that there was no difference in kinetic response to head-loading as a consequence of previous experience. Considering the differences between the load carriage methods, most changes were consistent with increasing load. Head-loading was, however, associated with a shorter contact time, smaller thrust maximum and greater vertical force minimum than back-loading. Both loading conditions differed from unloaded walking for a number of temporal variables associated with the ground contact phase, e.g. vertical impact peak was delayed whilst vertical thrust maximum occurred earlier. Statement of Relevance: Consideration of the kinetics of head and back load carriage in African women is important from a health and safety perspective, providing an understanding of the mechanical adaptations associated with both forms of load carriage for a group of people for whom such load carriage is a daily necessity.
U2 - 10.1080/00140139.2011.558636
DO - 10.1080/00140139.2011.558636
M3 - Article
VL - 54
SP - 380
EP - 391
JO - Ergonomics
JF - Ergonomics
SN - 0014-0139
IS - 4
ER -