The objective of the present study was to establish effective combinations of marching speed and backpack load in order to meet specific military requirements. Thirty infantrymen from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) comprised the sample and experimental procedures were conducted in a laboratory setting using a Cybex Trotter treadmill. Sixteen conditions were set up which included combinations of four speeds (3.5, 4.5, 5.5, and 6.5 km.h⁻¹) and four backpack loads (20, 35, 50, and 65kg). Each subject was required to complete 8 of the sixteen conditions, each consisting of a six-minute treadmill march. Physiological data (heart rate, ventilation and metabolic responses), kinematic gait responses (step-rate and stride length) and perceptions of exertion (“Central” and “Local” RPE) were collected during the third and sixth minutes of the treadmill march and areas of body discomfort were identified post-march. Responses revealed five distinct categories of exertional strain. Three marches constituted “nominal” (below 40% VO₂max) and three “excessive” strain (above 75% VO₂ max). These represent combinations of extreme military demands and are highly unlikely to be utilised by the military. Three “tolerable” levels of required effort were recommended and these 10 combinations were further divided into three sub-categories. The “moderate” stress marches were identified as “ideal” for prolonged marches and had statistically similar responses of working heart rates (range of 118 bt.min⁻¹ to 127 bt.min⁻¹), energy expenditure (26 kJ.min⁻¹ and 27 kJ.min⁻¹) and ratings of perceived exertion (“Central” ratings of 10 and 11). Thus, marching at 5.5 km.h⁻¹with 20kg, 4.5 km.h⁻¹ with 35kg or 3.5 km.h⁻¹ with 50kg all require a similar energy cost. Four “heavy” category marches were identified for possible use when the duration of the march is reduced. During these marches responses were statistically similar with heart rates ranging from 127 bt.min⁻¹ to 137 bt.min⁻¹, energy expenditure from 32 kJ.min⁻¹ to 37 kJ.min⁻¹ and “Central” ratings of perceived exertion were 12 and 13. When short, high intensity marches are necessary, then combinations from the “very heavy” category may be utilised but with caution. During these marches, soldiers were taxed between 65% and 75% of VO2 max. The results of this study clearly demonstrate that the interplay between speed and load needs to be adjusted when determining “ideal” combinations for specific military demands. Essentially, if speed is of the essence then load must be reduced, and if heavy loads need to be transported then speed must be reduced.

Taking a multi-disciplinary, integrated approach, the present study sought to examine selected physiological and psycho-physical parameters related to load carriage involving a 12 km march under military conditions. Military constraints hampered, but did not entirely inhibit the secondary aim of the study which concerned the effectiveness of relativising loads in order to normalise responses for all soldiers, irrespective of morphological diversity. Forty three subjects were measured in six groups using a test-retest experimental protocol. They were involved in a rest-broken 12 km march at 4 km.h⁻¹ under 40.5 kg absolute total load and under a relative load of 37% of body mass. Heart rates, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) as well as area and intensity of discomfort were monitored for all subjects. Ten subjects were measured more extensively with regard to physiology using the Metamax, a portable ergospirometry system that provides all the data needed for a complete functional analysis of lung, heart, circulation and metabolic activity. Physiological responses (fc; fb; V̇T; V̇E; V̇O₂; EE; V̇CO₂; R; T°) indicated subjects were not severely physically taxed and that the loads imposed constituted a sub-maximal demand. Moreover, there appeared to be a limited cumulative effect over the 3.5 h. Data from the first and third hours were similar, while the significantly higher responses in the second hour reflected the challenge of the undulating terrain encountered during this section of the march. All responses during the Relative load conditions mirrored those of the Absolute load condition but, because the demands were less, the trends occurred at a reduced level. Furthermore, the reduction in inter-individual variability indicates that relativised load carriage tends to stress the soldiers in a more uniform manner. All "local" RPE responses were higher than "central" ratings, suggesting soldiers were in good cardiovascular condition and experienced marginally more strain in the lower limbs. There was increased perceived strain corresponding to the increase in gradient, with little cumulative effect over the three hours. The shoulders and feet were the two regions in which most discomfort was experienced; the shoulders being the worst area in the first hour and the feet being rated the worst after the third hour of marching. This study clearly demonstrates the probability of a significant improvement in mean combat-readiness following loaded marching by showing that, if loads are set at levels commensurate with individual capabilities to carry them without undue strain, unnecessary physical demands experienced by smaller, more gracile soldiers are reduced.

The present study sought to investigate the effects of changes in gradient, under apparently optimal combinations of speed and load, on selected physiological, psychophysical and biophysical responses of military personnel. Subjects (n = 32) were required to march under level (0%), downhill (-10%) and uphill (+10%) conditions. Under each gradient, subjects marched with the following speed-load combinations: 4 km.h-1 carrying 50 kg, 5 km.h-1 carrying 35 kg and 6 km.h-1 carrying 20 kg, a total of nine experimental conditions. Subjects were required to march for six minutes under each condition. Physiological responses (HR, VO2, R, Br, VE, VT, EE) indicated that subjects were not overly taxed by the three speed-load combinations during level marching, which elicited submaximal demands. Furthermore, the results revealed that downhill marching with heavy loads results in similar responses to level marching, while lighter loads may result in significant reductions in physical demands compared to level marching. The physiological responses to uphill marching revealed that subjects were severely physically taxed under these conditions, regardless of speed-load combination. It is unlikely that soldiers would be able to maintain these intensities for an extended period without undue fatigue. It is evident from the psychophysical responses (Rating of Perceived Exertion and Body Discomfort) that subjects perceived the heavy load conditions, regardless of gradient, to be the most stressful on the cardiovascular and muscular systems. The positive gradient conditions also elicited elevated RPE and Body Discomfort responses, while lighter load downhill conditions were perceived to result in the least strain.

In response to challenging situations physiological and psychological adaptations result in elevated levels of arousal and when these levels are 'optimal' performance is enhanced. There are however, limitations to the amount of physiological and mental stimulation one can tolerate, with cumulative fatigue effects being the outcome when stressful conditions are imposed on the individual over an extended period of time. As a result of the extreme physical and cognitive demands placed on military forces while in combat, with soldiers being thrust into battle and required to make critical life-or-death determining decisions followed by appropriate motor responses, the physical and psychological capabilities of the troops are pushed to maximal limits, often resulting in undesirable decrements in physical and mental performance, with consequential human and materiel losses. Thirty-two soldiers participated in a battery of combat-related field and laboratory tests, first under 'normal' conditions with no prior physical activity and then immediately after the participation of an intensive bout of exercise. Physiological and perceptual responses plus standard of performance were measured at various stages of testing. Results of the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), Body Discomfort Scale and heart rate responses revealed significantly higher levels of psychophysical strai,n in response to the strenuous physical activity. Despite these findings, the electromyographic (EMG) activity and efficiency of the combat-related skills were not negatively affected. Rather, nominal improvements in post-activity performance were noted, specifically response time, and this was attributed to elevated arousal and activation as a result of the exercise that was of sufficient duration to enhance arousal without imposing long term cumulative fatigue effects.