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Bugala M, Bernaciková M, Struhár I. Load Carrying Walking Test for the Special Operation Forces of the Army of the Czech Republic. Mil Med 2024; 189:e566-e572. [PMID: 37776528 PMCID: PMC10898923 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The subject of this study was the creation of a new type of laboratory walking stress test for the Special Forces of the Army of the Czech Republic. This study developed a test model that has been validated in practice and that reflects the fact that the performance of endurance without and with a load varies considerably. Especially, if we focus on operators, as their activities are always performed with loads/full gear (equipment, weapons, equipment, etc.). MATERIALS AND METHODS 24 men/operators from the Special Forces of the Army of the Czech Republic volunteered for this study. The maximal exercise test/spiroergometry was designed to include performance at a load of 55 kg/121 lb, a constant speed of 5.3 km/h, and an increase in incline angle of 1 degree after each elapsed minute. The test was performed on a treadmill under standard time, location, and temperature conditions. During the test, the following values were recorded: VO2 = oxygen consumption indicating the intensity of the exercise was monitored, VO2/kg = oxygen consumption converted to body weight, VO2/HR = pulse oxygen (the amount of oxygen converted in one heartbeat), HR = heart rate, VE = ventilation, volume of air exhaled in 1 min, breathe frequency (BF) = respiratory rate in 1 min. RESULTS Out of the total number of 24 respondents, the study found these mean values of variables. The variable mapping the oxygen consumption, which indicates the intensity of VO2 loading, was 3.8, with the lowest value being 3.2 and the highest being 4.5. After converting oxygen consumption to bodyweight, VO2/kg was 46, the lowest value of 38.8, and the highest 53.0 were measured for this variable. Pulse oxygen, i.e., the amount of oxygen calculated per heart contraction VO2/HR, was 20.5, the lowest value 16.0, and the highest 26.0. The average HR heart rate was 183.5, with the lowest value being recorded at 164 and the highest value is 205. Ventilation, i.e., the amount of exhaled air per minute in VE, was measured at 144.9, the lowest value was 114.7, and the highest was 176.6. The BF in 1 min was 58.5, the lowest value 35, and the highest 70. The mean time load was 10:20 min, the shortest test length was 7:25 min, and the longest was 13:23 min. These values correspond to the degree of inclination of the ascent, i.e., the mean value was 10 degrees, the smallest achieved slope was 7 degrees, and the largest 13 degrees. CONCLUSION The designed weighted walking test proved to be fully functional and effective in measurement. The further established protocol corresponds to the requirements of the current needs of the Special Forces of the Army of the Czech Republic. Last but not least, the walking stress test is applied for the external and internal selection and screening of operators. Data obtained from testing were used to develop deployment requirements for patrol/nuclear combat missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bugala
- Department of Physical Education and Social Sciences, Faculty of Sports Studies Masaryk University, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Bernaciková
- Department of Physical Activities and Health Sciences, Faculty of Sports Studies Masaryk University, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Struhár
- Department of Physical Activities and Health Sciences, Faculty of Sports Studies Masaryk University, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic
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Hudson S, Barwood M, Low C, Wills J, Fish M. A systematic review of the physiological and biomechanical differences between males and females in response to load carriage during walking activities. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2024; 114:104123. [PMID: 37625283 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this review was to systematically assess literature on differences between males and females in the physiological and biomechanical responses to load carriage during walking. PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane library were searched. A total of 4637 records were identified and screened. Thirty-three papers were included in the review. Participant characteristics, load carriage conditions, study protocol, outcome measures and main findings were extracted and qualitatively synthesised. Absolute oxygen uptake and minute ventilation were consistently greater in males but there were limited sex-specific differences when these were expressed relative to physical characteristics. There is limited evidence of sex-specific differences in spatio-temporal variables, ground reaction forces (normalised to body mass) or sagittal plane joint angles with load. However, differences have been found in hip and pelvic motions in the frontal and horizontal planes, which might partly explain an economical advantage for females proposed by some authors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Hudson
- School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom.
| | - Martin Barwood
- School of Health, Sport and Life Sciences, Leeds Trinity University, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Low
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Jodie Wills
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Michael Fish
- School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom
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Meng Q, Kong B, Zeng Q, Fei C, Yu H. Concept design of hybrid-actuated lower limb exoskeleton to reduce the metabolic cost of walking with heavy loads. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282800. [PMID: 37186605 PMCID: PMC10184947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper proposes the conceptual design method for a hybrid-actuated lower limb exoskeleton based on energy consumption simulation. Firstly, the human-machine coupling model is established in OpenSim based on the proposed three passive assistance schemes. On this basis, the method of simulating muscle driving is used to find out the scheme that can reduce the metabolic rate the most with 3 passive springs models. Then, an active-passive cooperative control strategy is designed based on the finite state machine to coordinate the operation of the power mechanism and the passive energy storage structure and improve the mobility of the wearer. In the end, a simulation experiment based on the human-machine coupled model with the addition of active actuation is proceeded to evaluate its assistance performance according to reducing metabolic rate. The results show that the average metabolic cost decreased by 7.2% with both spring and motor. The combination of passive energy storage structures with active actuators to help the wearer overcome the additional consumption of energy storage can further reduce the body's metabolic rate. The proposed conceptual design method can also be utilized to implement the rapid design of a hybrid-actuated lower limb exoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoling Meng
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Neural-Functional Information and Rehabilitation Engineering of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Shanghai, China
| | - Bolei Kong
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Neural-Functional Information and Rehabilitation Engineering of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingxin Zeng
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Neural-Functional Information and Rehabilitation Engineering of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuizhi Fei
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Neural-Functional Information and Rehabilitation Engineering of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongliu Yu
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Neural-Functional Information and Rehabilitation Engineering of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Shanghai, China
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McNairn J, Tait J, Harlow M, Yang P, Beaudette B, Dhillon P. Putting your best weighted foot forward: Reviewing lower extremity injuries by sex in weighted military marching. JOURNAL OF MILITARY, VETERAN AND FAMILY HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.3138/jmvfh-2021-0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
LAY SUMMARY International marching events, such as the Nijmegen Marches, have a prominent place in Canadian military history, and participation continues today. In the Dutch military, the load carriage requirements previously differed by sex, with men carrying 10 kilograms during the march and women carrying no weight. The Canadian delegation requires both male and female participants to carry 10 kilograms. This article examines the effect of this policy on possible injuries using a Gender-based Analysis Plus lens. Weight carriage should focus on anthropometric factors, not sex, which will allow for appropriate and equal increased stresses (weight) for march participants while minimizing injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta McNairn
- Canadian Forces Health Services Group (Atlantic), Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Justin Tait
- Department of Family Medicine, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Madeline Harlow
- Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Peter Yang
- Department of Family Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Paul Dhillon
- 12 (Vancouver) Field Ambulance, Canadian Forces Health Services Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Sousa MV, Sebastião R, Fonseca P, Morais S, Soares D, de Sousa I, Machado L, Sousa F, Vaz M, Vilas-Boas JP. Can increased load carriage affect lower limbs kinematics during military gait? ERGONOMICS 2022; 65:1194-1201. [PMID: 34930095 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2021.2021299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate if increased load carriage, in male military personnel, can affect the lower limbs kinematics. Twelve male military volunteers from the Portuguese Army were recruited and evaluated in an unloaded and loaded gait condition. Linear kinematics and lower limbs joint angle at heel strike, midstance and toe off were calculated. The stance, swing and double support times were found to be different between load conditions (p < 0.05). There was an interaction between load and limb (p < 0.05) for joint angles, during midstance, with limbs performing different movements in the frontal plane during loaded gait. Load increase had a different effect on the right knee, with a reduction in the abduction (valgus). This study may be beneficial in offering suggestion to improve the performance of gait with load and in an attempt to help prevent possible injuries. Practitioner summary: Increased load can affect lower limbs of male soldiers at the pelvic, hip and knee angles on the frontal plane, which can alter the joint force distribution. While these alterations may indicate protective mechanics, load management procedures should be implemented along with gait monitoring to avoid negative effects in performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoela Vieira Sousa
- Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Center of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Sebastião
- Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Center of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Fonseca
- Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Morais
- Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Denise Soares
- Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Kinesiolab, ISEIT, Piaget Institute of Almada, Almada, Portugal
| | - Inês de Sousa
- Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Leandro Machado
- Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Center of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa Sousa
- Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Center of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mário Vaz
- Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- INEGI, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Paulo Vilas-Boas
- Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Center of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Hindle BR, Lorimer A, Winwood P, Brimm D, Keogh JWL. The Biomechanical Characteristics of the Strongman Yoke Walk. Front Sports Act Living 2021; 3:670297. [PMID: 33981993 PMCID: PMC8107362 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2021.670297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The yoke walk is a popular strongman exercise where athletes carry a heavily loaded frame balanced across the back of their shoulders over a set distance as quickly as possible. The aim of this study was to use ecologically realistic training loads and carry distances to (1) establish the preliminary biomechanical characteristics of the yoke walk; (2) identify any biomechanical differences between male and female athletes performing the yoke walk; and (3) determine spatiotemporal and kinematic differences between stages (intervals) of the yoke walk. Kinematic and spatiotemporal measures of hip and knee joint angle, and mean velocity, stride length, stride rate and stance duration of each 5 m interval were taken whilst 19 strongman athletes performed three sets of a 20 m yoke walk at 85% of their pre-determined 20 m yoke walk one repetition maximum. The yoke walk was characterised by flexion of the hip and slight to neutral flexion of the knee at heel strike, slight to neutral extension of the hip and flexion of the knee at toe-off and moderate hip and knee range of motion (ROM), with high stride rate and stance duration, and short stride length. Between-interval comparisons revealed increased stride length, stride rate and lower limb ROM, and decreased stance duration at greater velocity. Although no main between-sex differences were observed, two-way interactions revealed female athletes exhibited greater knee extension at toe-off and reduced hip ROM during the initial (0–5 m) when compared with the final three intervals (5–20 m), and covered a greater distance before reaching maximal normalised stride length than males. The findings from this study may better inform strongman coaches, athletes and strength and conditioning coaches with the biomechanical knowledge to: provide athletes with recommendation on how to perform the yoke walk based on the technique used by experienced strongman athletes; better prescribe exercises to target training adaptations required for improved yoke walk performance; and better coach the yoke walk as a training tool for non-strongman athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R Hindle
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Anna Lorimer
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.,Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology Millennium Institute, Auckland University of Technology University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paul Winwood
- Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology Millennium Institute, Auckland University of Technology University, Auckland, New Zealand.,Faculty of Health, Education and Environment, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Tauranga, New Zealand
| | - Daniel Brimm
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Justin W L Keogh
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.,Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology Millennium Institute, Auckland University of Technology University, Auckland, New Zealand.,Cluster for Health Improvement, Faculty of Science, Health, Education, and Engineering, University of Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia.,Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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