Multiday load carriage decreases ability to mitigate ground reaction force through reduction of ankle torque production

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of backpack load carriage on lower limb strength and loading rate change in a cohort that match military recruit profiles. Twenty-six participants walked on a treadmill either carrying a military load carriage system (32 kg) or unloaded for 2 h on two consecutive days. Participants ground reaction forces and strength measures were assessed using a force platform and dynamometry, respectively. Testing included assessments before and after treadmill walking on days one and two, and 24 h following day 2. When assessed by mixed methods ANOVA (alpha: 0.05) statistically significant interaction effects were observed for loading peak (p = 0.031), loading rate (p = 0.035) and plantarflexor torque dynamometry variables at 60°s^-1 (p = 0.011) and 120°s^-1 (p = 0.024). Repeated measures correlation highlighted associations between plantarflexor torque at 60°s^-1 and loading rate (r = -0.901, p < 0.001). Load carriage reduced lower limb torque which did not recover between days. Plantarflexor torque reductions were associated with increases in loading rate. Practitioners should consider that load bearers are more likely to experience lower limb injury during multi-day load carriage. Future work should develop protocols to reduce plantarflexor torque loss in order to reduce ground reaction force change.

Energy cost and knee extensor strength changes following multiple day military load carriage

Military exercises and recruit training requires soldiers, including new recruits, to undergo multiple days of substantial physical stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological impact of multiple days of military load carriage by addressing the hypothesis: A second day of load carriage increases oxygen uptake and reduces knee extensor torque compared to a single day of load carriage. A load carriage group (n = 12) (carrying 32 kg) and unloaded group (n = 14) walked on a treadmill for 2 h on two consecutive days. Knee extensor and flexor torque were assessed by dynamometry at speeds of: 0°·s^-1,60°·s^-1 and 180°·s^-1 before and after load carriage on day one and two, and 24 h following day 2. Oxygen uptake was assessed via respiratory gas assessment at the 6th and 119th minute of load carriage on day one and two. When assessed by mixed methods ANOVA (alpha: 0.05), an interaction effect was observed for oxygen uptake (p < 0.001), with post hoc assessment highlighting second day of load carriage significantly increased oxygen uptake compared to day one post in the loaded group (28.9(3.0) vs 25.8(3.4), p = 0.048). An interaction effect was observed for all knee extensor variables (all p < 0.05). All knee extensor peak torque variables were significantly associated to oxygen uptake at 0°s^-1 (r = -0.576, p < 0.05), 60°s^-1 (r = -0.552, p < 0.05), and 180°s^-1 (r = -0.589, p < 0.05). Two days of load carriage significantly increases oxygen uptake and reduces knee extensor and flexor torque compared to a single day of load carriage. Subsequently, physical training programmes aimed at increasing knee extensor strength may protect against increases in oxygen uptake.

Center of Pressure, Vertical Ground Reaction Forces, and Neuromuscular Responses of Special-Forces Soldiers to 43-km Load Carriage in the Field

The primary purpose of this study was to examine lateral deviations in center of pressure as a result of an extreme-duration load carriage task, with particular focus on heel contact. A total of 20 (n = 17 males and n = 3 females) soldiers from a special operation forces unit (body mass 80.72 [21.49] kg, stature 178.25 [8.75] cm, age 26 [9] y) underwent gait plantar pressure assessment and vertical jump testing before and after a 43-km load carriage event (duration 817.02 [32.66] min) carrying a total external load of 29.80 (1.05) kg. Vertical jump height decreased by 18.62% (16.85%) from 0.30 (0.08) to 0.24 (0.07) m, P < .001. Loading peak and midstance force minimum were significantly increased after load carriage (2.59 [0.51] vs 2.81 [0.61] body weight, P = .035, Glass delta = 0.44 and 1.28 [0.40] vs 1.46 [0.41] body weight, P = .015, Glass delta = 0.45, respectively) and increases in lateral center of pressure displacement were observed as a result of the load carriage task 14.64 (3.62) to 16.97 (3.94) mm, P < .029. In conclusion, load carriage instigated a decrease in neuromuscular function alongside increases in ground reaction forces associated with injury risk and center of pressure changes associated with ankle sprain risk. Practitioners should consider that possible reductions in ankle stability remain once load carriage has been completed, suggesting soldiers are still at increased risk of injury even once the load has been removed.