Load carrying: in situ physiological responses of an infantry platoon.

Abstract

Morphological diversity is the source of differential stress when heavy work must be done by groups, as in the carrying of military equipment by a platoon. In this study 10 infantrymen each carried 40.5kg at the same pace over a 12km route on one day and 37% of personal body weight on another occasion. Physiological and perceptual responses indicated less stress was experienced when loads were normalised for morphological differences between the troops.