The primary objective of the study was to assess whether altering the vertical load position of an infant during front carrying impacts key gait parameters, cardiorespiratory indices, and energy expenditure in adult females. Understanding these effects could inform safer and more ergonomic practices for caregivers, improving maternal health outcomes.
Thirty nulliparous, healthy adult females (aged 18-35 years) participated in three front infant carrying trials using a 6-kg infant dummy. The dummy was positioned at the upper (T7), mid (L3), and lower (below umbilicus) trunk positions. Each trial involved walking a 240-meter linear path at a self-selected pace. Gait parameters (step length, stride length, cadence, and walking velocity), energy expenditure (VO2max, PCI), and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA at a significance level of p 0.05.
The analysis revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in gait, cardiorespiratory, or energy cost parameters across the different infant load positions. While there were slight variations in step length, walking velocity, and PCI between the trials, these differences were not statistically significant. Subgroup analysis based on participant body weight (≤ 60 kg and > 60 kg) also showed no significant variation across load positions.
This study found that the vertical position of the infant during front carrying does not significantly affect gait, cardiorespiratory, or energy cost parameters in nulliparous adult females. While no specific ergonomic recommendations can be made from the findings, future research is needed with larger sample sizes and varying load weights to better understand the potential impact of infant carrying practices.This study found that the vertical position of the infant during front carrying does not significantly affect gait, cardiorespiratory, or energy cost parameters in nulliparous adult females. While no specific ergonomic recommendations can be made from the findings, future research is needed with larger sample sizes and varying load weights to better understand the potential impact of infant carrying practices.
The findings suggest that caregivers may not need to be overly concerned with the vertical load position of the infant during short-distance walking tasks. However, further studies are required to explore how these results might vary with different load weights, terrains, or caregiver populations (e.g., postpartum women).
Gait analysis
energy cost
