The load carriage index (LCI) - adjusting the load carried by the soldier according to body composition measurements

Load carriage and the female soldier

There are obvious differences between men and women, differences which are taken into consideration when training athletes. Numerous texts discuss the genderspecific requirements of the female athlete, from coaching styles1 and training methods1, to dealing with social pressures2 and the impact of factors that selectively affect the female athlete3,4. On this basis, when it comes to athletic en...

Soldier Mobility: Innovations in Load Carriage System Design and Evaluation

The Extra Load Index as a method for comparing the relative economy of load carriage systems.

The Extra Load Index (ELI) has been proposed as a suitable method of assessing the relative economy of load carriage systems. The purpose of this study was to determine, based on empirical evidence, that the ELI can accommodate variations in both body composition and added load. In total, 30 women walked carrying loads of up to 70% body mass at self-selected walking speeds whilst expired air wa...

The effect of back pack load carriage on respiratory parameters in primary school student

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Most students use backpacks to carry their school supplies. Backpack carriage affects posture, physiological costs and physical performance. Limited literature concerning the effects of backpack load effect on pulmonary capacities of schoolchildren has been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different backpack weights on pulm...

The mechanics of head-supported load carriage by Nepalese porters.

In the Everest valley of Nepal, because of the rugged mountain terrain, roads are nothing more than dirt paths and all material must be conveyed on foot. The Nepalese porters routinely carry head-supported loads, which often exceed their body mass, over long distances up and down the steep mountain footpaths. In Africa, women transport their loads economically thanks to an energy-saving gait ad...