Gait Kinematics and Between-limb Symmetry Associated with Bilateral and Unilateral Golf Equipment Carriage

Golf equipment transportation (GET) is a consistent demand in golf, typically requiring over 6 kilometers of walking distance. Gait asymmetries and altered kinematics, especially in step time and length, are associated with decreased efficiency and increased metabolic cost. PURPOSE: To compare symmetry in gait and kinematic parameters of two GET methods with unloaded walking over flat ground. We hypothesized that GET would result in asymmetric step length and step time, that unilateral carry would be more asymmetric than bilateral carry, and that average trunk flexion would increase with both load carriage conditions. METHODS: 17 experienced, young adult golfers (9 M/8F, Age: 26.4 ± 4.5 yrs) participated in 3D motion capture of 3 GET walking tasks: 1) unloaded walking (UW), 2) unilateral single-strap carrying on the right shoulder (SS), and 3) bilateral double-strap carrying across both shoulders (DS); using an 11 kg bag. In each condition, the mean of 9 total steps resulting from 3 successful walking trials was analyzed. Kinematic data were collected at 60 Hz and filtered at 6 Hz. Post-processing and statistical analysis were performed in Visual 3D and R. Symmetry was evaluated for step time and length using a symmetry index that calculates the ratio of kinematics between limbs. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare symmetry for step time and length across conditions. RESULTS: Step time (F = 1.163, P = 0.32) and step length (F = 1.895, P = 0.16) between-limb symmetry were not different across SS, DS, and UW. The mean trunk flexion angle in the sagittal plane was higher in DS compared to UW (mean difference = 7.11, P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Despite carrying a load of 11 kg in the SS and DS, symmetry in step length and time was maintained, contrary to our hypothesis. The trunk flexion angle increased in DS, which may be a counterbalance strategy for the GET load. Lower extremity joint and trunk biomechanics should be investigated in GET to better understand the mechanical demands required to maintain gait symmetry since lower limb and trunk moments may account for the position and magnitude of the carriage load. Exploring the effects of different GET methods on uneven surfaces may be more ecologically important to understanding fatigue or golf performance due to different GET methods.