AzTrials
AzTrials

Gait AnalysisNCT06992518

The Effect of Bag Carrying Style on Gait Parameters in Healthy Adults

An observational study of Gait Analysis and 3D Gait Analysis, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

This observational crossover study aims to evaluate how different bag carrying styles-backpack, shoulder bag, and handbag-may affect gait parameters in healthy adults. Fifteen participants will walk under four conditions (no bag and each of the three bag types with a load of 15% of body weight), with the order… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Gait Analysis, 3D Gait Analysis
How many people
15 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
1 Oct 2023to 1 Sep 2024
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 30 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Study population: The study population consisted of 15 healthy volunteers who were selected using a simple random sampling method from among those who volunteered at Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital.

Who may be able to join

  • 18-30 years of age,
  • score above 45 on the New York Posture Analysis (NYPA)
  • lower extremity muscle strength values measured with myometer greater than 24,
  • No strenuous physical activity 48 hours before
  • Being cooperative with the measurements and tests, and volunteering to participate in the study

Who cannot join

  • Having a diagnosed orthopedic or neurological problem,
  • Having visual problems,
  • Having a body mass index of 30 kg/m² or more,
  • Having pain complaints due to a history of trauma in the last 1 month,
  • Having a leg length difference of more than 0.5 cm

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa, Faculty of Health Sciences, Büyükçekmece Campus, Alkent 2000 Mah. Yiğittürk Street No:5/9/1, Büyükçekmece/Istanbul, Turkey

    Istanbul, büyükçekmece, 34500

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: The Effect of Bag Carrying Style on Gait Parameters in Healthy Adults: A Cross Sectional Study

This observational crossover study aims to evaluate how different bag carrying styles-backpack, shoulder bag, and handbag-may affect gait parameters in healthy adults. Fifteen participants will walk under four conditions (no bag and each of the three bag types with a load of 15% of body weight), with the order randomized. Gait will be assessed using a 3D motion capture system with integrated force plates. Posture and lower extremity muscle strength will also be evaluated for baseline characterization.

Read the detailed description

This observational crossover study was conducted at a university-based Gait Analysis Center between October 2023 and October 2024, following ethical approval from the University Medical Research Ethics Committee (approval number: 2022-19/07, dated 09.12.2022). The study aimed to evaluate how different bag carrying styles-specifically, carrying a backpack, a shoulder bag, and a handbag-may influence gait parameters in healthy adults.

Fifteen volunteers aged 18 to 30 years who met predefined inclusion criteria were enrolled. Baseline posture was evaluated using the New York Posture Analysis (NYPA), and lower extremity muscle strength was assessed with a handheld myometer to ensure a consistent starting profile across participants. These values were recorded for characterization purposes only and were not analyzed in association with gait outcomes.

Each participant completed walking trials under four different conditions: walking without a bag, with a backpack, with a shoulder bag, and with a handbag. The order of these conditions was randomized for each participant. For each loaded condition, bags were adjusted to carry 15% of the individual's body weight. Participants walked barefoot at a self-selected pace on a 10-meter walkway while gait data were collected using a 3D motion analysis system (Vicon) integrated with force plates. Reflective markers were placed on anatomical reference points on the lower extremities.

Spatial-temporal, kinematic, and kinetic gait parameters were recorded in each condition, including stride length, cadence, joint angles, and joint power. Rest periods of at least three minutes were provided between walking conditions to reduce fatigue. All measurements were performed during a single session.

This study used a prospective crossover design in which each participant was observed under all four conditions. No therapeutic or clinical interventions were applied. The goal was to observe within-subject variability in gait characteristics associated with temporary exposure to different bag-carrying styles under standardized laboratory conditions.

Keywords
Posture, 3D Gait Analysis, Bag Carrying Styles, Healthy Adults

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Kinetic Gait Parameters

    Peak joint power values will be assessed using the Vicon 3D gait analysis system with integrated force plates. The following parameters will be recorded bilaterally under four bag-carrying conditions (no bag, backpack, shoulder bag, handbag):

    Maximum ankle power, maximum knee power, maximum hip power Unit of Measure: Watts per kilogram (W/kg)

    Measured: Baseline

  2. Kinematic Gait Parameters

    Joint angles will be calculated using 3D motion capture data for both right and left lower limbs during barefoot walking under four bag-carrying conditions (no bag, backpack, shoulder bag, handbag). The following maximum joint angles will be measured bilaterally:

    Ankle dorsiflexion, ankle plantarflexion, knee flexion, knee extension, hip flexion, hip extension, hip abduction, hip adduction, anterior pelvic tilt Unit of Measure: Degrees (°)

    Measured: Baseline

  3. Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters

    Spatiotemporal gait parameters will be measured using a 3D motion analysis system equipped with reflective markers and force platforms. The following variables will be assessed under four bag-carrying conditions (no bag, backpack, shoulder bag, handbag):

    Step length (meters), cadence (steps per minute), gait speed (meters per second), single support time (seconds), double support time (seconds) Each parameter will be recorded bilaterally where applicable. Values will be averaged from two selected trials per condition.

    Unit of Measure: Multiple (m, steps/min, s)

    Measured: Baseline

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted28 May 2025
  2. Study start1 Oct 2023
  3. Primary completion1 Aug 2024
  4. Study completion1 Sep 2024

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Case crossover
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
15 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06992518
Sponsor's protocol ID
GErol2
Status last verified
May 2025
First submitted
9 May 2025
Last updated
28 May 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Individual participant data will not be made available to other researchers

Publications

  • Ozgul B, Akalan NE, Kuchimov S, Uygur F, Temelli Y, Polat MG. Effects of unilateral backpack carriage on biomechanics of gait in adolescents: a kinematic analysis. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2012;46(4):269-74. doi: 10.3944/aott.2012.2678.

    PubMed 22951758
  • Cottalorda J, Rahmani A, Diop M, Gautheron V, Ebermeyer E, Belli A. Influence of school bag carrying on gait kinetics. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2003 Nov;12(6):357-64. doi: 10.1097/01.bpb.0000078270.58527.1f.

    PubMed 14530691
  • Connolly BH, Cook B, Hunter S, Laughter M, Mills A, Nordtvedt N, Bush A. Effects of backpack carriage on gait parameters in children. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2008 Winter;20(4):347-55. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0b013e31818a0f8f.

    PubMed 19011525
  • Alamoudi, M., Travascio, F., Onar-Thomas, A., Eltoukhy, M., & Asfour, S. (2018). The effects of different carrying methods on locomotion stability, gait spatio-temporal parameters and spinal stresses. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 67, 81-88.

  • Ahn, J. (2006). The effects of asymmetric load of shoulder bag on trunk and pelvis movement patterns of normal adult during gait. The Graduate School of Health and Environment Yonsei University, Master's thesis.

  • Abaraogu UO, Ugwa WO, Onwuka E, Orji E. Effect of single and double backpack strap loading on gait and perceived exertion of young adults. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2016;29(1):109-15. doi: 10.3233/BMR-150605.

    PubMed 26406186

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Gait Analysis and 3D Gait Analysis, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 May 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Kinetic Gait Parameters (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06992518, which also lists 6 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 May 2025.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in