Energy Expenditure of Special Forces Soldiers in Relation to Equipment Load and Movement Speed

Background/Objectives: Additional load is associated with a significant increase in energy expenditure during soldiers' movement. The level of energy expenditure during military tasks depends on the speed at which soldiers move. The aim of the study was to determine how the speed of movement and military load in the form of a 20-kg backpack affect the energy expenditure of special forces operators. Methods: The study included a group of 24 special forces operators. The energy expenditure of participants was measured using a portable Cosmed K5 gas analyzer operating in "breath-by-breath" mode. Energy expenditure was calculated based on VO₂ and VCO₂ data. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was recorded in parallel with VO₂ and VCO₂ and used to calculate the oxidation of energy substrates. The soldiers moved in 6-min intervals at the following speeds: 4.5 km/h, 6.5 km/h, 8.5 km/h, 10.5 km/h. First, the soldiers covered each speed without a load, and then with a 20 kg tactical military backpack. Results: The analysis showed that increasing speed and the use of an external load significantly increased all physiological and metabolic responses. Speed × load interactions were observed for some metabolic variables, whereas no such interactions were found for heart rate. Conclusions: Adding a 20 kg tactical backpack causes a significant increase in energy expenditure at all speed levels. The additional load resulted in an average increase of 10% in heart rate (%HRmax) and 20% in oxygen uptake (%VO₂max). A more than threefold increase in energy expenditure was recorded (14.77 kcal/min without load and 17.70 kcal/min with a backpack at a speed of 10.5 km/h vs. 5.01 kcal/min and 6.35 kcal/min at a speed of 4.5 km/h).