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The Effects Of Carrying A Simulated Rifle During A Backpack Load-carriage Task

Paul, Cameron; Kaliarntas, Konstantinos; Connaboy, Chris; Graham, Scott

Authors

Chris Connaboy



Abstract

A-46 Free Communication/Poster - Fitness Assessment Wednesday, June 1, 2016, 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM Room: Exhibit Hall A/B

PURPOSE: Identifying the effects of carrying a rifle during backpack load-carriage is of interest to the military. This study measured the metabolic cost, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and stride characteristics for two backpack load-carriage tasks. METHODS: Male participants with military experiences (n = 14) completed each of the incremental treadmill walking/running protocols (speeds range: 6.4-12.4 km·h-1) while carrying a total of 24 kg to volitional exhaustion. The two conditions of the study were: carrying a 24 kg backpack only, and carrying a 20.2 kg backpack with a 3.8 kg simulated rifle in two hands. Oxygen uptake, heart rate, ventilation, metabolic equivalents, RPE and stride length/frequency were recorded at each incremental stage. A univariate factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to measure the main effects within the conditions and interaction effects between conditions. RESULTS: All interaction effects for each variable were insignificant. Welch’s unequal variance t-test was used to measure the significance between conditions at each incremental stage. Carrying the rifle significantly increased %VO2 peak at 8.4 and 9.4 km·h-1; minute ventilation at 12.4 km·h-1; metabolic equivalents at 8.4 and 9.4 km·h-1, and RPE at 12.4 km·h-1. Stride length significantly decreased at 8.4, 9.4, 11.4, and 12.4 km·h-1, compared to carrying the backpack only (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results from the ANOVA concluded that carrying a rifle has no significant effect on load-carriage performance. Nevertheless, analysis of Welch’s t-test provided evidence for future research to cross-validate these findings

Citation

Paul, C., Kaliarntas, K., Connaboy, C., & Graham, S. (2016). The Effects Of Carrying A Simulated Rifle During A Backpack Load-carriage Task. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 48(5S), 91. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000485279.46533.a2

Journal Article Type Meeting Abstract
Conference Name American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting
Conference Location Boston, US
Acceptance Date Jan 15, 2016
Online Publication Date Aug 1, 2016
Publication Date 2016-05
Deposit Date Dec 12, 2017
Journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Print ISSN 0195-9131
Publisher American College of Sports Medicine
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 48
Issue 5S
Pages 91
DOI https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000485279.46533.a2
Keywords Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation; Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/958440