Using a Psychophysical Method to Determine the Most Acceptable Marching Speeds for Different Loads

• Main Authors: Kai-Lin, Ju, 朱凱麟
• Other Authors: Yuh-Chuan, Shih
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/64818677412323395389

碩士 === 國防大學管理學院 === 運籌管理學系 === 101 === In military operations, the full scope to combat effectiveness relies upon the force projection with right timelines and high efficiency. On the topic of transportation of ground forces, the speed and load carriage are both the critical determinants of marching performance. However, recent researches involved are seldom seen. From the physiological point of view and observation of oxygen consumption, heart rate as well as respiratory exchange ratio, the concept of “optimal” load or speed means the physiological strain produced ought to be of such an “acceptable” extent during its workload, so as not to bring about undue discomfort or fatigue over long run. Sixteen male and female infantry soldiers participated in the experiment, walking on the treadmill under four levels of load carriage, i.e. 0 kg, 10 kg, 20 kg (backpack), and 20kg (with rifle), to determine their preferred walking speed (PWS), and successively the physiological response, oxygen cost, and walking efficiency were analyzed. The results indicate that PWS decreases with the increase of load. Under the 20 kg-load situation, the posture with rifle leads to the induction in PWS than that of all-backpack-load. In the perspective of oxygen cost, the higher preference of the females in PWS is on behalf of the inferior walking efficiency. In terms of the military training specification, the corresponding physiological workload is probably exceeding the optimal extent. Therefore, the adjustment of marching requirement based on the operational needs will be one of the possible alternatives of the saving and exertion for combat power. The 11th to 15th-minute duration is deemed to be the steady state as the observation averages of all physiological indicators are representative for the assessment of gait. In the future, it will be considered high priority that to improve the body armor, soldiers training, as well as performance assessment is the influential bases of sustainment and exertion for combat power, and overall combat effectiveness for joint operations in response to the trend of changed patterns of war.