title: Predicting physiological capacity of human load carriage - a review.
abstract: This review article aims to evaluate a proposed maximum acceptable work duration model for load carriage tasks. It is contended that this concept has particular relevance to physically demanding occupations such as military and firefighting. Personnel in these occupations are often required to perform very physically demanding tasks, over varying time periods, often involving load carriage. Previous research has investigated concepts related to physiological workload limits in occupational settings (e.g. industrial). Evidence suggests however, that existing (unloaded) workload guidelines are not appropriate for load carriage tasks. The utility of this model warrants further work to enable prediction of load carriage durations across a range of functional workloads for physically demanding occupations. If the maximum duration for which personnel can physiologically sustain a load carriage task could be accurately predicted, commanders and supervisors could better plan for and manage tasks to ensure operational imperatives were met whilst minimising health risks for their workers.
authors.affiliation: Land Division, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, 506 Lorimer Street, Fishermans Bend, 3207, Australia. Electronic address: jace.drain@dsto.defence.gov.au.
authors.forename: Jace
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Drain
authors.affiliation: Land Division, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, 506 Lorimer Street, Fishermans Bend, 3207, Australia.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Billing
authors.affiliation: Centre for Exercise and Sports Science, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, 3125, Australia.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neesham-Smith
authors.affiliation: Centre for Exercise and Sports Science, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, 3125, Australia.
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aisbett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D061388:Firefighters; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000592:standards; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Load carriage; Physiological work capacity; Relative task intensity