Running economy and energy cost of running with backpacks

The Optimal Weight Carriage System for Runners: Comparison Between Handheld Water Bottles, Waist Belts, and Backpacks

“…No changes in RE were observed; however, the testing period included only 5 min of loaded running, making comparisons for longer runs impossible (Vincent et al, 2018). Studies examining loaded backpack running with different weights and speeds demonstrated that with increasing backpack weight and speed RE deteriorated (Scheer et al, 2018a).…”

“…Therefore, runners often carry nutrition and fluids during training runs and/or competitions, in different water carriage systems, such as handheld water bottles, waist belts, or backpacks ( Scheer and Hoffman, 2018 ; Vincent et al, 2018 ). The weight of this additional load depends on distance, ambient temperatures, ease of access or availability of fluid/nutrition, personal choice, and the necessity of carrying additional equipment, such as mobile phones, keys, medical kit, and so on, and may easily add up to several kilograms, which is best carried in backpacks ( Scheer et al, 2018a , 2020b ). Keeping backpack loads to a minimum is recommended, as it is more economical with less physiological strain on the body ( Scheer et al, 2018a ), as well as using backpacks with back/front loading systems ( Scheer et al, 2020b ).…”

“…The weight of this additional load depends on distance, ambient temperatures, ease of access or availability of fluid/nutrition, personal choice, and the necessity of carrying additional equipment, such as mobile phones, keys, medical kit, and so on, and may easily add up to several kilograms, which is best carried in backpacks ( Scheer et al, 2018a , 2020b ). Keeping backpack loads to a minimum is recommended, as it is more economical with less physiological strain on the body ( Scheer et al, 2018a ), as well as using backpacks with back/front loading systems ( Scheer et al, 2020b ). However, for smaller and lighter loads or during shorter running distances, handheld water bottles or waist belts are often used ( Vincent et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Of the few studies that have compared water carriage systems in runners ( Scheer et al, 2018a , 2020b ; Vincent et al, 2018 ), only one compared the economy of running with handheld water bottles and waist belts ( Vincent et al, 2018 ). No changes in RE were observed; however, the testing period included only 5 min of loaded running, making comparisons for longer runs impossible ( Vincent et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Other measures of interest in the assessment of load-carrying systems in runners are cardiovascular effort and rates of perceived exertion (RPE), as with increasing load and running speed, heart rate (HR) and RPE increases ( Scheer et al, 2018a , 2020b ).…”