Application of the predicted biomechanics approach in assessing work-related musculoskeletal discomfort among female brickfield workers in West Bengal, India.

Background: Manual brick manufacturing units in West Bengal, India are mostly unorganized sectors employing many migrant female workers in manual material handling tasks as brick moulders and brick carriers.

Objective: The study estimated the biomechanical postural stress developed due to manual load handling, carriage and brick transportation.

Methods: Body Part Discomfort Scale was used to assess the subjective pain felt by 18 adult female brick moulders and 12 brick carriers during work.

A Temporal Study on Learning and Memory at High Altitude in Two Ethnic Groups.

Cognitive function has been compromised during high-altitude (HA) exposure due to slowing of mental processing. A total of 20 Indian and 20 Kyrgyz soldiers were studied at 4111 m to assess cognitive function in two different ethnic groups. Paired associate learning, pattern recognition memory, spatial span (SSP), spatial working memory (SWM), choice reaction time (CRT), and simple reaction time (SRT) were evaluated at sea level and on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 of HA stay and on day 3 of deinduction.

Effect of heavy load carriage on cardiorespiratory responses with varying gradients and modes of carriage.

Background: The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of different uphill and downhill gradients on cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses of soldiers while carrying heavy military loads in two different modes.

Methods: Eight physically fit male soldiers with a mean age 32.0 ± 2.

Effect of load carriage and natural terrain conditions on cognitive performance in desert environments.

Background: Correct decision making is a critical component of cognitive performance of a soldier, which may be influenced by the load carriage and terrain conditions during their deployment in desert environment.

Purpose: The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of loads and terrain conditions on the cognitive performance in a group of twelve healthy heat acclimatized infantry soldiers under natural desert environment.

Methods: The soldiers participated in a 10min walking trial during carrying no load and also carrying 10.

Soldiers' load carriage performance in high mountains: a physiological study.

Background: The present study was designed to evaluate load carriage performance at extremely high altitudes with different loads and walking speeds in terms of physiological evaluation. The degree of maximum oxygen consumption changes at high altitudes was also examined.

Methods: Twelve Indian Army soldiers were acclimatized at altitudes of 3,505 m and 4,300 m.

Effect of uphill walking with varying grade and speed during load carriage on muscle activity.

Indian soldiers, while guarding the mountainous border areas, often carry loads in steep uphill gradients. This activity may predispose the risk of muscle injury. The present study aimed to examine the effects of an increasing load, speed and gradient during incremental uphill treadmill walking on different muscles.

Cardiorespiratory changes with compact backpack system and distributed mode of load carriage.

In Indian Army, soldiers normally carry 21.4 kg in backpack (BP), haversack, and web distributed in different parts of the body and rifle in hand. This load distribution is unequal, may involve excess energy expenditure, mostly uncomfortable, and restricts the normal movement of the hand carrying rifle.