The effect of temperature, gradient, and load carriage on oxygen consumption, posture, and gait characteristics
Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of load carriage in a range of temperatures to establish the interaction between cold exposure, the magnitude of change from unloaded to loaded walking and gradient. Methods Eleven participants (19–27 years) provided written informed consent before performing six randomly ordered walking trials in six temperatures (20, 10, 5, 0, −5, and −10 °C). Trials involved two unloaded walking bouts before and after loaded walking (18.2 kg) at 4 km · h−1, on 0 and 10% gradients in 4 min bouts. Results The change in absolute oxygen consumption (V̇O2) from the first unloaded bout to loaded walking was similar across all six temperatures. When repeating the second unloaded bout, V̇O2at both −5 and −10 °C was greater compared to the first. At −10 °C, V̇O2was increased from 1.60 ± 0.30 to 1.89 ± 0.51 L · min−1. Regardless of temperature, gradient had a greater effect on V̇O2and heart rate (HR) than backpack load. HR was unaffected by temperature. Stride length (SL) decreased with decreasing temperature, but trunk forward lean was greater during cold exposure. Conclusion Decreased ambient temperature did not influence the magnitude of change in V̇O2from unloaded to loaded walking. However, in cold temperatures, V̇O2was significantly higher than in warm conditions. The increased V̇O2in colder temperatures at the same exercise intensity is predicted to ultimately lead to earlier onset of fatigue and cessation of exercise. These results highlight the need to consider both appropriate clothing and fitness during cold exposure.
Authors: Katrina Hinde, Ray Lloyd, Chris Low, Carlton Cooke
Institutions: Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Trinity University
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,890
OpenAlex ID: W2583376790