| Abstract |
Energy cost was examined while four Marines walked at 4 km/hr on an open field with each of four snowshoes. Snowshoes were the Pride Assault, Montana, British Assault, and the U.S. Army Standard. The grade of the field was about 2.4% and the Marine walked once downhill and once uphill with each snowshoe. Expired respiratory gases were collected continuously during each walk. On the downhill portion of the course, average + standard deviation (SD) V02 values were l.25 +/- 0.l3, 1.46 +/- 0.11, 1.31 +/- 0.13, and 1.22 +/- 0.20 1/min for the Pride, Montana, British, and Standard snowshoes, respectively (p=0.01); the Pride and Standard snowshoes had significantly lower energy cost than the Montana (p=0.05). On the uphill portion of the course, average +/- SD VO2 values were 1.58 +/- 0.12, 1. 7 +/- 80.14, 1.62 +/- 0.21, and 1.5 +/- 10.06 1/min for Pride, Montana, British, and Standard snowshoes, respectively (p=0.06). Data suggested that several characteristics may be favorable from an energy cost perspective: (1) a foot hinge and binding system that allows the snowshoe to be dragged across the snow, (2) an upturned front that pushes snow away and allows a more horizontal displacement of the snowshoe during locomotion, and (3) a lower mass-to-surface-area ratio. Further research will be necessary to determine the relative importance ot these design characteristics, given the small number of subjects. |
