The Effect of a Backpack Hip Strap on Energy Expenditure While Walking

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that energy cost increases as the weight of the load increases, but few investigations have been conducted that focus on backpack carriage specifically. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of backpack hip strap use on walking energy expenditure while carrying a loaded backpack. METHODS: A crossover design was used in which 15 young, healthy male subjects walked at a self-selected pace for two 10-minute loaded backpack trials either with a hip strap (strapped) or without a hip strap (non-strapped). Oxygen consumption (VO 2 ), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and heart rate (HR) were monitored throughout each 10-minute trial. Change scores from the 4 th to 10 th minute were calculated for each variable. A t-test was used to evaluate the difference between trials for each variable. RESULTS: The change in VO 2 (-0.62±0.40 vs. 0.33±0.23, p=0.04) and RPE (1±0.25 vs. 2±0.21, p<0.01) from the 4 th to the 10 th minute were different for the strapped versus non-strapped condition, respectively. There was no difference in the change in RER (0.04±0.01 vs. 0.03±0.01, p>0.05) or HR (3.53±0.93 vs. 4.07±1.39, p>0.05) for the strapped versus unstrapped condition, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest wearing a hip strap reduces the energy expenditure and perceived exertion in as little as 10 minutes of walking. The reduced energy expenditure found with using a hip strap may have a significant impact on an individual's ability to hike or march for extended periods of time.

Gender Differences in Energy Expenditure During Walking With Backpack and Double-Pack Loads

“…A convenience sample of 30 healthy young adults (15 male young adults and 15 female young adults) was recruited from a local university ( Table 1). The sample size was estimated with reference to a similar study in male young adults (Pigman, Sullivan, Leigh, & Hosick, 2017) and was evaluated based on observed standardized effect sizes of 0.2 (small), 0.5 (medium), and 0.8 (large) for all significant pairwise comparisons among different treatments of individual outcome measures (Cohen 1992). Participants were screened, and those with a known neurological disorder, metabolic disease, or cardiovascular disease were excluded.…”

“…data reduction and Statistical Analysis VO 2 and VCO 2 measurements for each participant were recorded during each 10-min walking exercise. The VO 2 and respiratory exchange ratio (RER; ratio of VCO 2 to VO 2 ) representing energy expenditure and relative intensity of the exercise, respectively, at the 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th min in backpack and double-pack carriage were calculated based on the minute average of the breath-by-breath measurements from the metabolic cart during each minute of collection (Pigman et al, 2017). A mixed ANOVA was used to analyse the effect of gender, pack, and time on VO 2 and RER values (SPSS version 24.0, IBM Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).…”

Effect of backpack carrying on forced vital capacity in cystic fibrosis: A randomized crossover-controlled trial

“…The most likely hypothesis is that unilateral loading of the spinal and shoulder muscles results in a higher consumption of energy than if the load were equally distributed, as with BB carrying. This has already been described in similar situations, in particular for loads distributed across the front and back of the thorax or between the shoulders and hips [ 23 , 24 ]. A lighter backpack therefore has a similar effect on a child with CF as a heavier backpack has on a healthy child.…”

Importance of Sock Type in the Development of Foot Lesions on Low-Difficulty, Short Hikes

“…Similarly, hikers are affected by variable weather conditions, including high doses of solar radiation [4]. Carrying a backpack, including factors such as backpack carriage design [5], weight [6], and load distribution [7,8], needs to be taken into account. Use of a stick while hiking [9], the choice and even the color of clothing [10] are further factors that can influence successful completion of a hike.…”