Work

Weapon handling during load carriage does not affect lower-limb coupling variability in military personnel

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This exploratory study aimed to examine the effect of weapon handling on lower-limb coupling variability of military personnel during load carriage. Seventeen soldiers (12 males, 5 females) completed two 12-min bouts of walking at 5.5 km⋅hr −1 on an instrumented treadmill carrying 23 kg of external load. The two trials were completed either with or without handling a weapon. To quantify coupling variability, continuous relative phase standard deviation was calculated for nine couplings across combinations of four segments (pelvis, thigh, shank, and foot) and three planes (sagittal, frontal, and transverse). Weapon handling did not significantly affect the variability of any coupling. Any effect of weapon handling on coupling variability may occur elsewhere such as in the torso. Therefore, research quantifying lower-limb coupling variability in military personnel may be undertaken, irrespective of incorporating weapon handling.

Source: Applied Ergonomics

DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104558

Authors: Brooke Hoolihan, Jon Wheat, Ben Dascombe, Danielle Vickery-Howe, Kane Middleton

Institutions: University of Newcastle Australia, Nottingham Trent University, Western Sydney University, La Trobe University

Language: English

Topic: Occupational Health and Performance

Subfield: Occupational Therapy

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,400