No abstract

The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect to this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden to, Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information 14. ABSTRACT Data from four studies of standard and prototype load-carriage equipment were analyzed to determine the effects of the weight borne by male and female load earners on time to traverse a 3.2-km course at maximal speed and on energy expenditure and kinetic and kinematic variables during externally paced walking at 4.8 km-hr " 1 . The equipment configurations included fighting, approach, and sustainment :oads, with masses varying from 12 kg to 50 kg. It was found that course completion times and energy expenditure were directly related to the weight earned. Kinetic variables, including ground and joint reaction forces, generally evidenced substantial linear relationships with :he weight earned. Increases in maximum ankle, knee and hip joint reaction forces approached 1 N for each 1 N increase in the weight. The effects of weight earned on the kinematic variables were more complex. They included evidence of adaptations in walking gait that are likely to aid the load earner in maintaining stability and in absorbing the increased forces associated with increased load on the body.