Energy Expenditure of Walking with Different Types of Armored Vests In Military Personnel – A Pilot Study

Abstract

The use of armoured vests is an additional burden on the wearer, and has an impact on the ability to function for military personnel. In light of the limitations of the number of rations that can be carried, the aim of this study was to determine the energy cost of wearing armoured vests and compare the energy cost of six different types of vests. In this pilot study, six well trained volunteers from a military training academy were chosen. Their basal metabolic rate was measured. Then they used six different vests in a cross-over study design, and their energy expenditure was measured using an indirect calorimeter while walking on a treadmill. Data from our study revealed that using the vests, energy expenditure was increased by an average of 2.7 Kcal/Kg/day over basal metabolic rate. However, there were no significant differences between the six different vests. Thus, we were able to quantify the amount of additional energy that is required for walking at a speed of 3.5km/hr. This study also revealed that there is no difference in energy expenditure between different types of armoured vests. Further investigation is required to study the effects at greater workloads to document the effect of the vests.