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Related Experiment Videos

Carrying loads with springy poles.

R Kram1

  • 1Harvard University, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730.

Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|September 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Carrying loads with compliant poles is not more economical than using a backpack, as oxygen consumption increased by 22%. However, these poles reduce peak shoulder forces and loading rates.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Human Physiology
  • Ergonomics

Background:

  • Springy bamboo poles are traditionally used in Asia for load carriage.
  • These poles act as compliant suspension systems, allowing loads to move horizontally while the carrier bounces.
  • The economic efficiency of this load carriage method, particularly regarding gravitational work, is questioned.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the energetic cost of load carriage using compliant poles.
  • To compare the efficiency of pole-based load carriage with traditional backpack methods.
  • To assess the biomechanical effects of compliant poles on forces experienced by the carrier.

Main Methods:

  • An experiment was conducted with four male subjects running at 3.0 m/s on a motorized treadmill.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Measurements included oxygen consumption rate, vertical ground reaction force, and shoulder forces.
  • Subjects were tested with no load and while carrying a load equal to 19% of their body weight using compliant poles.

    • Main Results:

    • Oxygen consumption rate increased by 22% when carrying loads with compliant poles.
    • This increase is comparable to that observed when carrying loads with a backpack.
    • Peak shoulder forces and loading rates were minimized by the pole suspension system.
    • Peak vertical ground reaction force showed only a slight increase above unloaded levels.

    Conclusions:

    • Compliant poles are not a more economical method for load carriage compared to backpacks in terms of energy expenditure.
    • Pole suspension systems offer significant biomechanical advantages by reducing peak shoulder forces and loading rates.
    • The vertical ground reaction force is minimally impacted when using compliant poles for load carriage.