Research and Development of an Advanced Personal Load Carriage System Phases 2 and 3. Section C: Analysis of Seven Pack-Based Systems Using Human FAST Trials
Abstract
This section outlines the methodology used by the Ergonomics Research Group in conduction standardized human trials for the evaluation of load carriage systems (LCS). The results from these First Assessment and Standardized Testing (FAST) trials pertained to two areas of interest of the Advanced Personal Load Carnage Research group. Firstly, information on subject preferences was useful in increasing the knowledge of LCS design quality, and the effect of different designs and design interactions on human performance. Secondly, the FAST Trials proved human factors results for correlation with LC Sim data. Results from LC Sim testing can be found in Section B, while outcomes of the correlation analysis can be found in Section D. Spec1fic areas of concern for this project included integration of marching orders, physical costs associated with the incorporation of fragmentation protection into the LCS, and the general performance of different marching and battle order designs. Twenty eight experienced military subjects were assigned four of the load carriage systems (LCS) over the course of four consecutive trials. In each trial, subjects completed a march of 5.0 km over level ground as well as five activity stations (AS). Each lap of the march (1.0 km) was followed by one of these AS's, presented to the subjects in random order. Subject responses were elicited immediately following each AS. Following one complete trial, a subjective response summary was collected, rating the acceptability of the LCS. Subjects also rated their perceived discomfort, due to the LCS, experienced during the test. After doffing the test ruck, subjects completed five different AS's designed to test features and function of the battle order component of the test LCS. Again, subjective response was gathered pertaining to performance in each test, overall impressions, and perceptions of discomfort.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 30, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA636766
Entities
People
- D. Andrews
- E. Morin
- J. Doan
- Joan M. Stevenson
- Troy Bryant