PSYCHOPHYSICAL DETERMINATION AND MODELING OF LOAD-CARRYING CAPACITY

This paper presents a study that was conducted to review the research on the determination of maximum acceptable carrying capacity using the psychophysical method. The characteristics of load carrying activity are first discussed. The psychophysics and its validity when applied to load carrying activity are then examined. The dependent, independent, and fixed variables in past psychophysical studies of load carrying activities are summarized, and the experiment design and procedure are reviewed. Both the factors affecting maximum carrying capacity studied by past research and the main results are also summarized. Finally, modeling efforts in determining maximum carrying capacity are reviewed. The results indicate many areas needing further study. The factors that may affect the maximum carrying capacity and that are unique to carrying activity should be emphasized. These factors include carrying mode, walking speed, carrying distance, time, and terrain/ grade. Research is also needed to integrate the psychophysical method with other objective research approaches such as the physiological method and biomechanical method.