Background and Aim: Incorrect backpack carrying with overload causes musculoskeletal pain in adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of unilateral carriage backpack with load condition on height, postural angels and gait pattern in rural children.

Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 20 healthy boys children (mean age 12.3±1.5 year) were selected randomly. Each of the subjects carried backpacks with 0%, 10%, 15% and 20% body weight with speed of 1.1(m/s) on treadmill for 30 minutes. We recorded with a videotape while children were walking on treadmill. Analyzing of cinematography of movies was done with Dartfish Software (version 7.7).

Results: Based on the results of this study, unilateral backpack carrying caused significant changes in height and trunk forward lean between 0%, 10%, 15% and 20% load conditions(P<0.05). But there were not significant changes between 10%, 15% body weights (P>0.05). Changes in knee lean angle were not significant between different weights (P>0.05).  But in step length between 0%, 10%, body weights were significant. Step frequency between 0%, 10%, and 10%, 15% load conditions were significant (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Analyzing of data showed that carriage backpack with load conditions resulted in decrease in height and increase in trunk forward lean. Also the load conditions increased knee lean angle significantly. Furthermore, the carriage of backpack with load conditions showed a significant increase in step length and step frequency.                                                                                                                

Keywords: Rural student, Unilateral backpack carrying, Posture, gait pattern