Load Carriage in Military Operations: A Review of Historical, Physiological, Biomechanical, and Medical Aspects
Abstract
Because of mission requirements or the limited transportation assets of some types of units (e.g., U.S. Army light infantry), service members must often depend on their personal mobility to move individual equipment. The carrying of loads by troops is an important aspect of military operations that can become critical in some situations. Overloading with ammunition and equipment can lead to excessive fatigue and impair the ability to fight. Military historians cite numerous examples where heavy loads directly or indirectly resulted in reduced performance, unnecessary deaths, and lost battles. The purpose of this paper is to review the historical, physiological, biomechanical, and medical aspects of load carriage. Practical suggestions are offered for reducing the stress of loads on service members and for preventing and treating common load-carriage related injuries.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA330082
Entities
People
- Joseph J Knapik
- Katy Reynolds
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory