Corrigendum to "The impact of backpack load on adolescent stair descent safety and injury risk" [J. Biomech. 166 (2024) 112029].

Posterior tilt angles (COM-COP inclination angle in the sagittal plane) increased significantly with increasing backpack load during stair descent.

• Sixteen healthy male students participated (age = 12.9 ± 0.6 years)
• Four loaded conditions were tested
• Significant increases observed at gait cycle percentages 0%-42%, 48%-53%, and 58%-91%
• Statistical significance at p < 0.01

Trunk anterior tilt angles increased significantly with increasing backpack load during specific phases of stair descent.

• Significant increases observed at gait cycle percentages 9-33% and 51-65%
• Statistical significance at p < 0.01
• Trunk forward flexion was interpreted as a compensatory response to posterior body tilt

Coefficient of variation (CV) of stride length increased significantly with increasing backpack load.

• p < 0.01
• Increased CV of stride length indicates reduced gait stability and consistency
• This was identified as an indicator of balance control deterioration

COM-Step edge separation decreased with increasing backpack load during stair descent.

• p < 0.01
• Reduced COM-Step edge separation suggests decreased safety margin relative to the step edge
• This finding was interpreted as an indicator of increased fall risk

Hip flexion torque, rectus femoris activation, and hip stiffness increased significantly at loads of 15% and 20% body weight.

• Significant increases in hip flexion torque observed at gait cycle percentages 25-40% and 45-51% (p < 0.01)
• Rectus femoris activation increased significantly at 15% BW and 20% BW loads
• Hip stiffness also increased significantly at these load levels
• These muscular and mechanical adjustments were interpreted as compensatory responses to balance perturbation

At loads up to 15% body weight, adolescents' bodies tended to tilt backwards relative to the support foot during the single stance phase of stair descent.

• The backward tilt prompted compensatory activation of hip flexors and anterior trunk tilt
• This compensation was associated with increased hip flexion torques
• The adjustment became more pronounced with increasing backpack load
• Excessive forward trunk flexion was identified as potentially increasing the risk of forward falls