Use and weight of shoulder bag in female gait and associated factors

This work aimed to assess the influence of the use and weight of shoulder bag on female gait. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to September 2018, with 258 women (18-59 years old) who used shoulder bags. A questionnaire was used, and body weight and bag weight were measured. Gait was assessed with and without a bag using a baropodometer. The percentage of bag weight-body weight ratio was associated with having children (OR=0.210, p=0.002) and doing physical activity (OR=2.122, p=0.049). As for the side used to carry the bag, right stride length increased when the bag was carried on the opposite site and decreased when carried on both sides (p<0.05). There was a reduction of the left surface area and left foot peak pressure, and an increase in the left step length in relation to the percentage of weight carried (p<0.05). Regardless of the side used to carry the bag and the weight of the bag, the changes perceived during gait while carrying shoulder bags were discrete. However, attention should be drawn to these changes, mainly due to the adaptive capacity of the body and the long-term effects of bag use.