Effects of load carriage on heart rate, blood pressure and energy expenditure in children

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Abstract
Fifteen male primary school children, aged 10 years, were selected to carry school bags of 10, 15 and 20% of their own body weights, where 0% body weight was used as a control. Maximum oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O2max) tests were conducted on a motorized treadmill using a continuous incremental protocol. During the load carrying test, subjects walked on a treadmill at 1.1 m s−1 for 20 min at each load condition. Blood pressures were measured before, immediately following, and at 3 and 5 min after every trial. Heart rate and expired [Vdot]O2 were recorded before, during and 5 min after walking using a cardiopulmonary function system. The results showed a significant difference in oxygen uptake, energy expenditure and the recovery of blood pressure rise for between 10 and 20% body weight load conditions. The carrying weight of a school bag for children could be recommended as 10% of body weight because it was not significantly different from 0% load in the metabolic cost.