Sportswear Gets a Robotic Upgrade

Walking and running have fundamentally different biomechanics, which makes developing devices that assist both gaits challenging. Kim and colleagues show that a portable exosuit that assists hip extension can reduce the metabolic rate of treadmill walking at 1.5 meters per second by 9.3% and that of running at 2.5 meters per second by 4.0% compared… Read More

Does the The Pandolf Equation Under-predict the Metabolic Rate of Contemporary Military Load Carriage?

Research Paper Title The Pandolf equation under-predicts the metabolic rate of contemporary military load carriage. Background This investigation assessed the accuracy of error of the Pandolf load carriage energy expenditure equation when simulating contemporary military conditions (load distribution, external load and walking speed). This was a within-participant design. Methods Sixteen male participants completed 10 trials… Read More

Is there a Metabolic Cost (Premium) of Walking in an EOD Suit?

Research Paper Title Predicting the Metabolic Cost of Walking while Wearing Explosive Ordnance Disposal Protective Clothing. Introduction The use of improvised explosive devices (IED) is becoming more prevalent in modern warfare, civil unrest and lone wolf terrorism. This has led to a greater role for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians to neutralise the threat of… Read More

Load Carriage & Extreme Environments

Research Paper Title Moving in Extreme Environments: Extreme Loading; Carriage versus Distance. Abstract This review addresses human capacity for movement in the context of extreme loading and with it the combined effects of metabolic, biomechanical and gravitational stress on the human body. This topic encompasses extreme duration, as occurs in ultra-endurance competitions (e.g. adventure racing… Read More

Rate of Perceived Exertion can Estimate Metabolic Workload

Research Paper Title Perceived Exertion and Heart Rate Models for Estimating Metabolic Workload in Elite British Soldiers Performing a Backpack Load-carriage Task. Background To identify field measures to estimate backpack load-carriage work intensity in elite soldiers is of interest to the military. Methods This study developed rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate models… Read More