Ergonomic effects of load carriage on energy cost of gradient walking.
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.
Abe
Daijiro
D
Faculty of Human Sciences, University of East Asia, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 751-8503, Japan. daijiro@toua-u.ac.jp
Muraki
Satoshi
S
Yasukouchi
Akira
A
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