Carrying Police Load Increases Gait Asymmetry in Ground Reaction Forces and Plantar Pressures Beneath Different Foot Regions in a Large Sample of Police Recruits

Findings of this study indicate that 'a 3.5 kg load' significantly increases ground reaction force and plantar pressure gait asymmetries beneath the forefoot and midfoot regions, compared to 'no load' condition. Due to higher loads, increases in kinetic gait asymmetries may have negative effects on future pain and discomfort in the foot area, possibly causing stress fractures and deviated gait biomechanics in police recruits.