Analysis of Load Carriage and Incline on Human Walking

2294 Words5 Pages

Abstract:

Past studies have showed mixed evidence regarding the effects of load carriage on stride length. Some studies have observed a decrease while others noticed no change in average stride length. Past studies have also been inconsistent with the usage of hip straps that are meant to transfer weight onto the larger muscles groups of the legs, which might lower metabolic cost. Our experiment considers both flat and inclined surfaces when determining whether backpack loads and the usage of hip and chest straps affect a walker's step length and post-exercise heartrate. The degree of increase of the post-exercise heartrate from the resting heartrate was used as a measure for fatigue in the subjects. Sixteen college students underwent eight walking trials on a treadmill on which the speed and distance traveled was fixed. Our data indicates that load carriage decreases average step length when the walker is on an inclined surface, but not on a flat surface. In addition, we found that load carrying, regardless of whether hip and chest straps are used, results in a greater increase in heartrate, both on a flat and inclined surface. Hip and chest straps used with loads are found to result in a lower increase in heartrate on flat surfaces, indicating a possible metabolic benefit of its usage.

Introduction:

Walking is a daily activity that is carried out without much thinking. In addition, people often carry loads to transport items to where they need to go. One of the most efficient ways of transporting objects is by carrying them in a backpack. A wide variety of packs are available, one of which is the widely used backpack with two straps that go over the shoulders, popular because of the stability they give th...

... middle of paper ...

...s of different loads and carrying systems on selected

biomechanical parameters describing walking gait. Ergonomics. 28:1347-1362.

Martin, P.E. and Nelson, R.C. (1985) The effects of carried loads on the combative

movement performance of men and women. Military Medicine. 150:357-362.

Pandolf, K.B., Givoni, B., Goldman, R.F. (1977) Predicting energy expenditure with

loads while standing or walking very slowly. J Applied Physiology. 43:577-581.

Patton, J.F., Kaszuba, J., Mello, R.P., Reynolds, K.L. (1991) Physiological and

perceptual responses to prolonged treadmill walking with external loads. European J Applied Physiology. 63:89-93.

Sagiv, M., Ben-Sira, D., Sagiv, A., Werber, G., Rotstein, A. (1994) Left ventricular

responses during prolonged treadmill walking with heavy load carriage. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 26:285-288.

More about Analysis of Load Carriage and Incline on Human Walking

Open Document