Effects of Backpack Volume on the Biomechanics of Load Carriage

Abstract

Twelve men walked and ran while carrying: (1) A MOLLE Standard pack medium in height, width, anterior-posterior dimension, and distance from pack center of mass to the load carrier's back, with low impediment to rearward arm swing, (2) A MOLLE Extended pack medium in height, wide, of large anterior-posterior dimension, with great distance from pack center of mass to load carrier's back, and with medium impediment to read aim swing, and (3) A SPEAR pack, tall in height, wide, of medium anterior-posterior dimension, with relatively low distance from pack center of mass to load carrier's back, with high impediment to rearward arm wing. RES%: During walking, the MOLLE Standard produced the longest stride length, greatest degree of hip extension, highest relative braking, ankle, and knee forces., and highest ground reaction moment. During running, it produced the most trunk movement, greatest rearward arm swing and arm swing range, smallest lateral distance between arms and trunk, lowest upward center of mass velocity, lowest ankle-angle range, greatest degree of knee straightening, and greatest degree of hip extension. During walking, the MOLLE Extended produced the most forward trunk lean and lowest of hip-flexion torque. During running, it produced the greatest minimum distance from arm to trunk, highest center of mass upward velocity, greatest ankle angle range, least knee straightening, most hip extension, and highest hip flexion torque During walking, the SPEAR produced the shortest stride length, least rearward arm swing, most forward arm swing, greatest distance from arm to trunk, lowest peak body downward velocity, lowest relative ankle and knee force, least unweighting, and greatest knee and hip flexion torques.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2001
Accession Number
ADA394891

Entities

People

  • Carolyn Bensel
  • Clay Pandon
  • Everett Harman
  • John Kirk
  • Michael Laflandra
  • Peter Frykman

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army Personnel
  • Backpacks
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Biomechanics
  • Carriages
  • Computers
  • Energy Transfer
  • Frequency
  • Joints (Anatomy)
  • Marine Corps
  • Measurement
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Operations
  • Military Research
  • Moment Of Inertia
  • Special Operations Forces
  • Standards

Fields of Study

  • Education

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Military Engineering.