Backpack Weight Impacts
- Conditions
- Exertion; Excess
- Interventions
- Behavioral: The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion
- Registration Number
- NCT04249986
- Lead Sponsor
- University of California, San Francisco
- Brief Summary
Backpacking is an increasingly popular outdoor recreational activity. The base pack weight (BPW) includes gear that is not consumed or worn on the body: shelter, sleep system, weather-proofing layers and personal gear to ensure a degree of comfort and safety. As such, reducing BPW is one of the most important tasks a backpacker manages when preparing for a trip. Available recommendations for ideal BPW are currently inconsistent, lack clear parameters, and rely on anecdotal evidence. The study aims to collect field data on perceived exertion and heart rate (HR) in relation to BPW during a day-long interval of hiking. Such findings can have implications on the cost and safety profiles extending from recreational backpacking to military and wilderness rescue operations.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 20
- Only adult (age 18-65)
- Have gone on at least two overnight backpacking trips in the past 5 years
- Have hiked at least 8 miles in a day on one of those trips
- Lower extremity injuries or surgeries in the past 6-months
- Daily Smokers
- Chronic medical problems:
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Heart attack
- Heart surgery, cardiac catheterization, or coronary angioplasty
- Pacemaker/implantable cardiac defibrillator/rhythm disturbance
- Heart valve disease
- Heart failure
- Heart transplantation
- Congenital heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Back pain
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- CROSSOVER
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion between 17 and 19 lb BPW The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Participants will be randomized to both 17 and 19 pounds for the first hike and the alternate condition for the second hike. A random number generator will create 1 block that includes 10 participants in each block to ensure comparable numbers to subjects starting at different base backpack weight. Participants assignments will then be included in a sealed manila envelopes. The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion between 19 and 17 lb BPW The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Participants will be randomized to both 19 or 17 pounds for the first hike and the alternate condition for the second hike. A random number generator will create 1 block that includes 10 participants in each block to ensure comparable numbers to subjects starting at different base backpack weight. Participants assignments will then be included in a sealed manila envelopes.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion During the Total Hike 2 weeks Participants will report their perceived exertion towards the end of both hikes. The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale ranges from 6 to 20. 6 being the lowest score of no exertion and 20 being the highest of maximal exertion.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion During Incline and Decline Sections of the participant 2 weeks Participants will report the perceived exertion mid-hike and towards the end. The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale ranges from 6 to 20. 6 being the lowest score of no exertion and 20 being the highest of maximal exertion.
Heart Rate 2 weeks Difference between participants' heart rate during both 17 and 19 pound base backpack weight.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
UCSF Fresno
🇺🇸Fresno, California, United States