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Abstract

Rucking has gained in popularity over the past several years due to accessibility, affordability, functionality, and wide-ranging health benefits. Despite its popularity, there are several unknown biomechanical and physiological areas that remain underexplored. PURPOSE: Investigate the effects varying loads and inclines have on biomechanical and physiological factors. METHODS: Fifteen recreationally active individuals were randomly assigned to six different conditions on the treadmill. Treadmill conditions consisted of being unweighted or wearing a weighted pack while walking 1.5 m/s inclined (4.5 degrees), declined (-4.5), or flat. The weight of the ruck was relative to the participant's mass and heart rate (HR) in each of the conditions were also observed and recorded. A repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc comparisons using Bonferroni adjustments was used for all comparisons. RESULTS: Maximum vertical GRF values increased by roughly 20% in every weighted condition versus unweighted, regardless of slope (p<0.001), with the decline weighted having the largest values. The loading knee abduction moment showed similar results with the level (p=0.006) and inclined (p=0.01) conditions, increasing 13% weighted to unweighted. In the decline condition, an increase of 20% (p=0.003), with the decline weighted again having the largest values. Additionally, there was a significant interaction in heart rate (F (8, 5) = 10.51, p < 0.00). The inclined condition revealed a significant increase in HR in weighted versus unweighted (p = 0.001). In both the incline weighted and unweighted conditions, HRs were significantly higher than level weighted (p<0.001) and unweighted conditions (p<0.001). HR in both unweighted (138±11 bpm) and weighted incline conditions (152±17 bpm) was significantly higher than the unweighted decline condition (98±14; p<0.001) but no difference was found when compared to weighted decline (103±41 bpm; p=0.21). CONCLUSION: When GRFs are high during level and decline conditions, physiological effort (HR) is low. When GRFs are low during the inclined condition, physiological effort (HR) is high. Data suggests individuals may want to determine whether muscle overload (level or decline) or cardiovascular fitness (incline) is their goal for a given ruck and then plan their workout accordingly.

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