Responses to Load Carriage

STUDY BASICS

Do you ruck or hike? This study is looking for 18–40-year-olds with backpacking and/or tactical experience for a research study to understand the factors associated with fatigue and recovery from repeated load carriage. Participation involves carrying a rucksack for approximately 90 min, physical performance and metabolic testing, body composition scans and blood draws. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

The goal of this study is to better understand how physical health changes during multiple periods of load carriage exercise and how quickly physical health recovers afterwards. This study will look at things like changes in hormone levels, chemicals released from active skeletal muscles, and your body composition. The results from this study will be used to improve physical readiness training in the military with the goal of reducing injuries. 

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 40
• Physically active (at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week)
• Individuals who can safely perform moderately strenuous physical activity, have no current musculoskeletal injuries or conditions, no history of cardiovascular problems, and for women, have regular menstrual cycles or are using an intrauterine device. 

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

• Carry a rucksack for approximately 90 min.
• Physical performance and metabolic testing
• Body composition scans
• Blood draws