Effect of Different Ways of Holding Luggage on the Sway of Standing Center of Pressure and Upper-body Center of Gravity of Community-dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of different ways of holding luggage on the sway of the center of pressure (COP) and the upper-body center of gravity (UCOG) of community-dwelling older adults. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 15 older adults. Holding luggage was carried out under four conditions: no possession, backpack, holding a handbag, carrying a handbag on the shoulder. COP was evaluated by measuring the total locus length (TLL) and the locus lengths (LL) in the lateral and anterior-posterior directions. The UCOG sway was evaluated by calculating its Root Mean Square (RMS) in the lateral and anterior-posterior directions. [Results] Under the three luggage-carrying conditions, the TLL, lateral and anterior-posterior LL were significantly lower than those with no luggage possession. There were no significant differences in anterior-posterior and lateral UCOG sway RMS among any of the conditions. [Conclusion] The three luggage-carrying conditions did not affect the UCOG sway, but a decrease in the standing COP sway was observed, suggesting that carrying luggage may contribute to a reduction in standing COP sway.