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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2003

Open Access 01-12-2003 | Research article

The postural effects of load carriage on young people – a systematic review

Authors: Emily Steele, Andrea Bialocerkowski, Karen Grimmer

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2003

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Abstract

Background

Spinal pain in young people is a significant source of morbidity in industrialised countries. The carriage of posterior loads by young people has been linked with spinal pain, and the amount of postural change produced by load carriage has been used as a measure of the potential to cause tissue damage. The purpose of this review was to identify, appraise and collate the research evidence regarding load-carriage related postural changes in young people.

Methods

A systematic literature review sought published literature on the postural effects of load carriage in young people. Sixteen databases were searched, which covered the domains of allied health, childcare, engineering, health, health-research, health-science, medicine and medical sciences. Two independent reviewers graded the papers according to Lloyd-Smith's hierarchy of evidence scale. Papers graded between 1a (meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials) and 2b (well-designed quasi-experimental study) were eligible for inclusion in this review. These papers were quality appraised using a modified Crombie tool. The results informed the collation of research evidence from the papers sourced.

Results

Seven papers were identified for inclusion in this review. Methodological differences limited our ability to collate evidence.

Conclusions

Evidence based recommendations for load carriage in young people could not be made based on the results of this systematic review, therefore constraining the use of published literature to inform good load carriage practice for young people.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
The postural effects of load carriage on young people – a systematic review
Authors
Emily Steele
Andrea Bialocerkowski
Karen Grimmer
Publication date
01-12-2003
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2003
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-4-12

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