Effect of Backpack Loads on the Timing of Cardiopulmonary Response in Healthy Men

Abstract

The backpack used commonly affects posture and physical performance, resulting in increased oxygen uptake and energy expenditure. The purpose of this study is to confirm the effect of the chest loads on the reaching time of the cardiopulmonary response. Seventeen healthy men participants were monitored for cardiopulmonary function continuously during walking exercise with the Ramp protocol and recorded the time taken to reach THR, VO2 peak, RR Difference, maximal METs, maximal FECO2, and minimum FEO2. During the exercise test, subjects were instructed to carry a backpack loaded at no load, 5%, 10%, and 15% body weight in random order. There was a significant difference in the time to reach the THR, the oxygen intake peak time, the maximum metabolic equivalent time, the respiratory rate increase, the minimum oxygen amount, and the maximum carbon dioxide amount at no load and more than 5% load. However, no significant difference was found between the loads. It is thought that even a 5% backpack load of one's body weight can impose on cardiopulmonary energy costs, and this is thought to help improve training programs with a gradual increase in mechanical chest load.