Changes in Spatiotemporal Parameters During Gait of Special Forces Operators with Additional External Load

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human Movement Science
• Military Medicine

Background:

• Military tasks increasingly involve heavy external loads, raising concerns about soldier overload injuries.
• Soldiers' carried equipment mass has grown, potentially impacting gait and injury risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate how different masses and types of external load affect the spatiotemporal gait parameters of Special Forces Operators.
• To quantify gait modifications under various load conditions relevant to military operations.

Main Methods:

• Gait analysis of 34 Special Forces Operators using a 3D treadmill with a pressure platform.
• Measurement of ground reaction forces (GRF) during gait trials at 5.5 km/h under four load conditions (0, 7, 20, 27 kg).

Main Results:

• Significant differences in gait parameters including stance, swing phase, step time, stride length, and cadence were observed with increasing load.
• The most substantial gait changes occurred when comparing unloaded conditions to carrying a helmet and vest.
• External load primarily led to longer support phases and shorter swing and single support phases.

Conclusions:

• Military load significantly alters the temporal gait structure in Special Forces Operators, even at consistent speeds.
• Advanced treadmill systems with GRF measurement allow for precise detection of subtle gait changes and asymmetry assessment.