If you are interested in rucking, aka tabbing (in British English, although this is commonly rucking at speed), it can be worthwhile to read some the studies behind the activity. Not surprisingly, the data comes from various militaries around the world.
If you are interested in other rucking related articles: how to start, the gear required, hydration etc, please read here.
Please note, these resources are shared for information purposes only. Always exercise within your limits. If you are considering changing your diet, exercise or lifestyle practices, plans with your primary medical practitioner before making any changes; especially if you are under treatment.
In our home base of Singapore, all men have to complete National Service. Army recruits finalise their training with a 24km (15 mile) loaded march. We have found 1 local study related to this subject, entitled: Thermal strain and fluid balance during a 72-km military route march in a field setting.
Stay Healthy,
Alastair
The following articles might also be of interest:
Studies
Oeschger R, Roos L, Wyss T, Buller MJ, Veenstra BJ, Gilgen-Ammann R. Influence of Soldiers' Cardiorespiratory Fitness on Physiological Responses and Dropouts During a Loaded Long-distance March. Mil Med. 2022 Jan 7;188(7-8):e1903–9. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usab540. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35015894; PMCID: PMC10363014.
Orr R, Pope R, Lopes TJA, Leyk D, Blacker S, Bustillo-Aguirre BS, Knapik JJ. Soldier Load Carriage, Injuries, Rehabilitation and Physical Conditioning: An International Approach. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 11;18(8):4010. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18084010. PMID: 33920426; PMCID: PMC8069713.
Orr R, Pope R, Lopes TJA, Leyk D, Blacker S, Bustillo-Aguirre BS, Knapik JJ. Soldier Load Carriage, Injuries, Rehabilitation and Physical Conditioning: An International Approach. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 11;18(8):4010. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18084010. PMID: 33920426; PMCID: PMC8069713.
Coakley SL, Myers SD, Walker EF, Hale B, Jackson S, Greeves JP, Roberts R, Blacker SD. 1.5mile run time and body mass predict 8mile loaded march performance, irrespective of sex. J Sci Med Sport. 2019 Feb;22(2):217-221. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.07.007. Epub 2018 Jul 20. PMID: 30249459.
Wills JA, Saxby DJ, Glassbrook DJ, Doyle TLA. Load-Carriage Conditioning Elicits Task-Specific Physical and Psychophysical Improvements in Males. J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Sep;33(9):2338-2343. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003243. PMID: 31269002.
David Boffey, Idan Harat, Yftach Gepner, Cheyanne L Frosti, Shany Funk, Jay R Hoffman, The Physiology and Biomechanics of Load Carriage Performance, Military Medicine, Volume 184, Issue 1-2, January-February 2019, Pages e83–e90, https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usy218
Schram B, Orr R, Pope R. A Profile of Knee Injuries Suffered by Australian Army Reserve Soldiers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Dec 20;16(1):12. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16010012. PMID: 30577566; PMCID: PMC6339105.
Orr RM, Pope R. Gender differences in load carriage injuries of Australian army soldiers. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2016 Nov 25;17(1):488. doi: 10.1186/s12891-016-1340-0. PMID: 27884191; PMCID: PMC5123228.
Other
Undated document "Load Carriage in Military Operations, A Review of Physiological, Historical, Biomechanical and Medical Aspects" Joseph Knapick SCD and Katy Reynolds MD (Note: .pdf 78 pages)
US Army "Foot Marches" documentation, April 2022 (Note: pdf. 160 pages)
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