Accession Number:

ADA365448

Title:

Physiological, Biomechanical, and Maximal Performance Comparisons of Female Soldiers Carrying Loads Using Prototype U.S. Marine Corps Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) with Interceptor Body Armor and U.S. Army All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) with PASGT Body Armor

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

ARMY RESEARCH INST OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE NATICK MA MILITARY PERFORMANCEDIV

Personal Author(s):

• Harman, Everett
• Frykman, Peter
• Pandorf, Clay
• Tharion, William
• Mello, Robert

Report Date:

1999-02-01

Pagination or Media Count:

56.0

Abstract:

The experiment evaluated the physiological, biomechanical, and maximal performance responses of 12 female soldiers carrying loads with prototype Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment with Interceptor body armor MOLLEI, and All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment with PASGT body armor ALICEP. MOLLEI and ALICEP did not differ on several tests including energy cost of load carriage, 2 mile load carriage speed, sprint speed with load, knee range of motion, and heel-strike braking force The ALICEP bested MOLLEI for speed of getting prone and standing speed of getting prone, rolling 3 times, and aiming a rifle obstacle course speed, especially for the low crawl grenade throw distance subjective comments total-body complaints under the fighting load heel-strike and push-off forces front-back pack movement and pressure under the shoulder straps. MOLLEI bested ALICEP as to design modularity walking posture quick pack release tightness of shot groups shoulder complaints complaints about all body areas other than the shoulders and hips under the sustainment load total-body complaints under the approach and sustainment loads time in double-support under the approach and sustainment loads front-back trunk sway under the sustainment load and horizontal location of pack center of mass under the sustainment load. Despite its overall superiority, the prototype MOLLEl could be improved to enhance obstacle course performance, make its quick-release system easier to find and reach, enhance body armor comfort and fit for females, reduce its restrictiveness, and reduce interference with tightening the waist belt. Frame cracking of MOLLE prototypes has apparently been solved by improved manufacturing techniques.

Descriptors:

• *SHOULDERS(ANATOMY)
• *BIOMECHANICS
• *POSTURE(PHYSIOLOGY)
• *BODY ARMOR
• VELOCITY
• POSITION(LOCATION)
• MANUFACTURING
• ARMY PERSONNEL
• PERFORMANCE(HUMAN)
• MILITARY EQUIPMENT
• CRACKS
• WALKING
• ENERGY
• MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
• COSTS
• HORIZONTAL ORIENTATION
• INTERCEPTORS
• FEMALES
• KNEE(ANATOMY)

Subject Categories:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Human Factors Engineering and Man Machine Systems

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE