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Investigation into Biomechanical Response and Health Consequences of Military Rucksack Design for Female Soldiers

Grawe, Sarah Koop

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Industrial and Systems Engineering.
Rucksack, or backpack, design has been the subject of scientific study for over fifty years, yet improvements are still being implemented in both industry and the military. In particular, the need for female-specific equipment in the US military has become more evident since the combat exclusion rule was lifted allowing women to serve in combat roles. Female soldiers use exactly the same rucksack as the men in training and in the field. Women experience greater injury rates than men in the military; load carriage is a major cause of these injuries. Although load carriage affects patterns in gait, physiological effects, and health outcomes, the differences in male and female response to the current military rucksack under dynamic, field conditions are unknown. This investigation establishes a foundation for future design research to improve the military load carriage system. The objectives of this investigation are to examine past research on the effects of rucksack use and design, concentrating on military applications, and to analyze the current military rucksack suspension system design using finite element modeling in the context of creating a better adapted design in the future for female soldiers. A review of the literature was completed exploring biomechanical, physiological, and health effects of load carriage, specifically focusing on military applications and effects on female users. In addition, an analysis of military equipment was completed to gain a full understanding of the system and the interactions between the clothing, personal protective equipment, and load carriage devices. Individual and group interviews of experienced users provided information about equipment use in the field. Furthermore, a targeted analysis using finite element modeling was completed for the purpose of investigating the interaction between frame design and load carriage effects on female anthropometry for the current US military rucksack (MOLLE IV). The results of the finite element model of the MOLLE IV rucksack frame show a trend that suggests differences in axial force in the shoulder straps may be due in part to back-waist length variations, with an increase in shoulder strap force as the waist-back length decreases. Future research is necessary to design and evaluate improved rucksack frame and suspension system designs in order to provide female soldiers with better adapted equipment.
Carolyn Sommerich, PhD (Advisor)
Blaine Lilly, PhD (Advisor)
Rebecca Dupaix, PhD (Committee Member)
Steve Lavender, PhD (Committee Member)
128 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Grawe, S. K. (2014). Investigation into Biomechanical Response and Health Consequences of Military Rucksack Design for Female Soldiers [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1397501190

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Grawe, Sarah. Investigation into Biomechanical Response and Health Consequences of Military Rucksack Design for Female Soldiers . 2014. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1397501190.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Grawe, Sarah. "Investigation into Biomechanical Response and Health Consequences of Military Rucksack Design for Female Soldiers ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1397501190

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)