This study examined the changes in the center of pressure (COP) and cadence according to three types of bags carried and three different bag weights. The experimental period was from June 3, 2013 to January 20, 2014, and thirty eight healthy adults (mean age: 26.10±5.32 years, age range: 22-30 years) volunteered under three conditions. In the first condition, the subjects wore a bag over one shoulder and they walked. In the second condition, they carried a bag across the shoulder and walked. With the third condition, they carried a backpack using both shoulders and walked. 3-Dimentional motion analysis system and a force plate were used to measure the kinematic parameters of gait and COP displacement during gait. Each subject walked 6 meters carrying a 3kg, 5kg and 7kg bag under all three conditions. The COP of the antero-posterior and medio-lateral, and cadence variable were significantly different according to the bag weight of 3㎏, 5㎏ and 7㎏. These findings suggest that walking while carrying a backpack using both shoulders is more effective on the changes in COP and gait of adults than the other conditions.

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