Ergonomic Comparison of Seven Modes of Carrying Loads on the Horizontal Plane

Abstract A comparative study of seven modes of carrying an identical load on the level ground was conducted on seven normal, healthy volunteers. The modes of carrying were: Head, Rucksack, Double Pack, Rico Bag, Sherpa, Yoke and Hands. The volunteers marched with 30 kg at the rate of 5 km/hr and the minute ventilation, oxygen consumption and pulse rate were recorded during the steady state of work and a 5 min recovery period after the work. Analysis of variance on the data established a significant (p<0·01) difference in the values of the physiological parameters of energy cost, cardiac rate and pulmonary ventilation due to a change in the mode of carrying. The Double Pack mode was ergonomically the best mode, followed closely by the Head mode. Carrying by Hands was the worst method and the others were intermediate as far as physiological economy is concerned. The merits and demerits of these modes of carrying loads are discussed briefly.