title: Effect of an on-hip load-carrying belt on physiological and perceptual responses during bimanual anterior load carriage.
abstract: Manual load carriage continues to be a major contributor of musculoskeletal injury. This study investigates the physiological and subjective effects of an on-hip load-carrying belt (HLCB) during bimanual anterior load carriage. Fifteen healthy male participants walked on a level ground treadmill at 4.5 km/h for 5 min carrying 5, 10 and 15 kg loads with hands and arms in front of the body, with and without using the HLCB (WD and ND). Heart rate, normalized oxygen uptake, minute ventilation and, central and peripheral ratings of perceived exertion were the dependent variables. The mean heart rate, normalized oxygen uptake, minute ventilation and peripheral rating of perceived exertion increased significantly with load under both WD and ND conditions. At a load of 15 kg, the mean heart rate, normalized oxygen uptake, minute ventilation and peripheral rating of perceived exertion were significantly lower by 6.6%, 8.0%, 11.8% and 13.9% respectively in WD condition when compared to the ND condition. There was no significant difference between WD and ND conditions with 5 or 10 kg load. It can be concluded that the HLCB could reduce a person's physiological and peripheral perceptual responses when walking on a level ground treadmill at 4.5 km/h with a load of 15 kg. Using a HLCB or similar device is therefore recommended for bimanual anterior load carriage for loads of 15 kg or probably larger.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Design, Zhejiang University, China; Department of Health & Physical Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Z G
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Design, Zhejiang University, China.
authors.forename: S Q
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering & Logistics Management, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Goonetilleke
authors.affiliation: Department of Health & Physical Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: danielchow@ied.edu.hk.
authors.forename: D H K
authors.initials: DHK
authors.lastname: Chow
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006615:Hip / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010465:Perception; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011481:Protective Clothing; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016138:Walking; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anterior load carriage; Energy cost; Heart rate; Load carrying device