title: Ergonomic effects of load carriage on energy cost of gradient walking.
abstract: We examined the effects of load on the energy cost of walking (C(w)), being defined as the ratio of the 2-min steady-state oxygen consumption to the speed, and economical speed (ES) during level and gradient walking. Ten men walked on a treadmill at various speeds with and without a load on their back at 0% and +/-5% gradients. Significantly lower C(w) values were observed only when the load was carried on the back during level walking at slower speeds. The ES was significantly decreased by less than 5% when the load was carried on the back. Significant gradient differences were also observed in the ES in the load and no load conditions. These results would be applicable to a wider range of occupational and leisure tasks.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Human Sciences, University of East Asia, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 751-8503, Japan. daijiro@toua-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Daijiro
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muraki
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yasukouchi
mesh_terms: D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006804:Ergonomics; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing