TY  - JOUR
TI  - Immediate Responses to Increased Backpack Load on Vestibular Function, Balance and Gait Parameters in Young Adults
AB  - Purpose: The effect of carrying a heavy backpack on body biomechanics have gained interest of the researchers in recent years. However, research regarding effects of backpack weight on vestibular function are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate immediate responses to increased backpack load on vestibular function, balance and gait parameters in young adults.  Material and Methods: This was a prospective study including a total of 25 participants. The participants were evaluated with the stepping test for vestibular function, Y balance test for dynamic balance and an instrumented treadmill for the gait parameters with backpack 0%; 15% and 30% of body weight.  Results: Regarding vestibular function, it was observed that test results were better with the increasing backpack load (p<0.05). In dynamic balance, there were significant differences in posteromedial and posterolateral directions (p<0.05). In terms of gait parameters, cycle time, cadence, gait velocity, ambulation index and bilateral step lengths were decreased as the load increased (p<0.05).  Discussion: The results can be interpreted that the changes may be a part of compensatory mechanisms to protect and maintain the body biomechanics against the backpack weight. By putting extra weight, one can be challenged during vestibular training.
AU  - Bazancir, Zilan
AU  - Sener, Fatma Gul
AU  - KIRDI, ELIF
AU  - CANLI, Kübra
DO  - 10.30720/ered.915398
PY  - 2022
JO  - Ergoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi
VL  - 10
IS  - 3
SN  - 2147-8945
SP  - 107
EP  - 114
DB  - TRDizin
UR  - http://search/yayin/detay/1137551
ER  -