To examine correlates of the speed at which female soldiers carrying
loads could cover 3.2 km on foot and traverse an obstacle course, 12 volunteers
(mean ± SD: 25.3 ± 6 years, 166 ± 7 cm, 61.3 ± 7
kg) were timed over 3.2 km while carrying loads of 14, 27, and 41 kg, and while
traversing an obstacle course with the two lighter loads. Pearson correlations
showed that absolute VO
$_{2\max}$
and 3.2 km run time without a load were
the best predictors of 3.2 km load carriage time for all loads. Also, larger
subjects with greater muscle mass were able to carry the heaviest load faster
than smaller, less muscular subjects, likely because the 41 kg load represented
a smaller percentage of the former's bodyweight. Maximum number of sit-ups and
push-ups, composite score of the Army Physical Fitness Test as well as body
height were positively correlated with the speed at which some course segments
were traversed.
