Occupational loads carried by Australian soldiers on military operations
RIS ID
119427
Link to publisher version (URL)
Abstract
Background: soldiers are required to carry heavy occupational loads on military operations that place their health at risk.
Methods: an online survey was sent to soldiers serving in specific Australian Army Corps known to experience high occupational exposure to load carriage.
Results: of the 380 respondents, 64% provided operational load carriage data on single or multiple operational deployments, totalling 411 reports. Mean absolute loads carried across the decade 2001-2010, equated to 47.7 kg. Arms corps carried significantly heavier loads than grouped "other corps" and Signals corps. Female soldiers reported carrying significantly (p =.45) lighter absolute loads (M = 26.4 kg) than male soldiers (M = 39.0 kg) with no significant differences found when the loads were expressed relative to body mass (Female M = 43%: Male M = 47%, p =.55).
Conclusion: Australian Army soldiers carry absolute loads that are increasing in load mass but may differ between corps and genders due to the tasks performed.
Publication Details
Orr, R., Pope, R., Coyle, J. & Johnston, V. (2015). Occupational loads carried by Australian soldiers on military operations. Journal of Health, Safety and Environment, 31 (1), 451-467.