THE EFFECTS OF BACKPACK LOADING STYLES ON ENERGY EXPENDITURE AND MOVEMENT IN THE SAGITTAL PLANE DURING TREADMILL WALKING

Abstract

Backpacking is physically demanding on the body. Although much of the load is carried securely inside the pack, non-secure attachment of provisions is commonly practiced. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a non-secure loading style as compared to a secure loading style of a backpack. Fifteen male subjects walked on a treadmill for 10 minutes in four conditions: 2% grade secure and non-secure and 15% grade secure and non-secure. Expired air analysis and movement in the sagittal plane were analyzed. A two-way (pack by grade) ANOVA for energy expenditure yielded significant differences for grade: one minute averages (p < .001), over the each condition (p < .001), and over an estimated 60 minute interval (p = .675). No other energy expenditure differences and no sagittal plane movement differences were found.