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Article

Physiological, Perceptual, and Biomechanical Responses to Load Carriage While Walking at Military-Relevant Speeds and Loads—Are There Differences between Males and Females?

by
Danielle M. Vickery-Howe
1,
Ben J. Dascombe
2,3,
Jace R. Drain
4,
Anthea C. Clarke
1,
Brooke Hoolihan
3,
Greg L. Carstairs
4,
Anjana J. Reddy
5 and
Kane J. Middleton
1,*
1
Sport, Performance, and Nutrition Research Group, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
2
School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
3
Applied Sport Science and Exercise Testing Laboratory, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia
4
Human and Decision Sciences Division, Defence Science and Technology Group, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia
5
Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3186, Australia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Biomechanics 2024, 4(3), 382-410; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics4030027
Submission received: 30 April 2024 / Revised: 8 June 2024 / Accepted: 18 June 2024 / Published: 1 July 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Gait and Posture Biomechanics)
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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the physiological, perceptual, and biomechanical differences between male and female soldiers across several military-relevant load and walking speed combinations. Eleven female and twelve male soldiers completed twelve 12 min walking trials at varying speeds (3.5 km·h−1, 5.5 km·h−1, 6.5 km·h−1) and with varying external loads (7.2 kg, 23.2 kg, 35.2 kg). Physiological (indirect calorimetry, heart rate), perceptual (perceived exertion), and biomechanical (spatiotemporal, kinematic, kinetic) outcomes were measured throughout each trial. Females had a lower aerobic capacity and lower body strength than males, which resulted in them working at a greater exercise intensity (%VO2peak and heart rate) but with a lower oxygen pulse. Females demonstrated higher breathing frequency and perceived exertion with specific loads. At selected loads and speeds, frontal and sagittal pelvis, hip, and knee motions and forces were greater for females. Females consistently displayed greater relative stride length and step width. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the importance of tailored interventions, periodisation, and nutritional strategies for female military personnel, given their higher relative work rate and increased injury risk during load carriage tasks. Understanding these differences is crucial for preparing female soldiers for the physical demands of military service.
Keywords: gait; kinematics; spatiotemporal; force; military ergonomics gait; kinematics; spatiotemporal; force; military ergonomics

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MDPI and ACS Style

Vickery-Howe, D.M.; Dascombe, B.J.; Drain, J.R.; Clarke, A.C.; Hoolihan, B.; Carstairs, G.L.; Reddy, A.J.; Middleton, K.J. Physiological, Perceptual, and Biomechanical Responses to Load Carriage While Walking at Military-Relevant Speeds and Loads—Are There Differences between Males and Females? Biomechanics 2024, 4, 382-410. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics4030027

AMA Style

Vickery-Howe DM, Dascombe BJ, Drain JR, Clarke AC, Hoolihan B, Carstairs GL, Reddy AJ, Middleton KJ. Physiological, Perceptual, and Biomechanical Responses to Load Carriage While Walking at Military-Relevant Speeds and Loads—Are There Differences between Males and Females? Biomechanics. 2024; 4(3):382-410. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics4030027

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vickery-Howe, Danielle M., Ben J. Dascombe, Jace R. Drain, Anthea C. Clarke, Brooke Hoolihan, Greg L. Carstairs, Anjana J. Reddy, and Kane J. Middleton. 2024. "Physiological, Perceptual, and Biomechanical Responses to Load Carriage While Walking at Military-Relevant Speeds and Loads—Are There Differences between Males and Females?" Biomechanics 4, no. 3: 382-410. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics4030027

APA Style

Vickery-Howe, D. M., Dascombe, B. J., Drain, J. R., Clarke, A. C., Hoolihan, B., Carstairs, G. L., Reddy, A. J., & Middleton, K. J. (2024). Physiological, Perceptual, and Biomechanical Responses to Load Carriage While Walking at Military-Relevant Speeds and Loads—Are There Differences between Males and Females? Biomechanics, 4(3), 382-410. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics4030027

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