Lighten Your Load
References: sciencedaily
Recently a researcher from the University of Pennsylvania developped a backpack that reduces the force of a backpack's load on the wearer by 86%, allowing wearers to run far more comfortably with heavy loads.
"While it might be useful for Santa, the backpack was created with soldiers and emergency workers in mind and could prevent the sort of muscle and joint injuries associated with running while carrying heavy items. The Penn researchers also point out that the backpack will also benefit schoolchildren, since heavy book bags have been linked to muscle and orthopedic injury.
"For the same energetic cost, you can either carry 48 pounds in a normal backpack or 60 pounds in a suspended-load ergonomic backpack," Larry Rome, a professor in Penn's Department of Biology, said. "It is like carrying an extra 12 pounds for 'free.'"
The backpack is based on a rigid frame pack, much like the type familiar to hikers everywhere; however, rather than being rigidly attached to the frame, the sack carrying the load is suspended from the frame by bungee cords. The ergonomic backpack reduces the force of the load on the wearer by reducing the effect of the load as it shifts up and down," Rome said. "What is striking is that you can feel the 86% reduction in force with every step."
"While it might be useful for Santa, the backpack was created with soldiers and emergency workers in mind and could prevent the sort of muscle and joint injuries associated with running while carrying heavy items. The Penn researchers also point out that the backpack will also benefit schoolchildren, since heavy book bags have been linked to muscle and orthopedic injury.
"For the same energetic cost, you can either carry 48 pounds in a normal backpack or 60 pounds in a suspended-load ergonomic backpack," Larry Rome, a professor in Penn's Department of Biology, said. "It is like carrying an extra 12 pounds for 'free.'"
The backpack is based on a rigid frame pack, much like the type familiar to hikers everywhere; however, rather than being rigidly attached to the frame, the sack carrying the load is suspended from the frame by bungee cords. The ergonomic backpack reduces the force of the load on the wearer by reducing the effect of the load as it shifts up and down," Rome said. "What is striking is that you can feel the 86% reduction in force with every step."
Trend Themes
1. Suspended-load Ergonomic Backpacks - Innovative backpack designs that suspend the load from a frame with bungee cords, reducing force on the wearer and allowing for greater comfort and mobility.
2. Muscle and Joint Injury Prevention - Efforts and innovations focused on preventing muscle and joint injuries associated with carrying heavy loads, beneficial for soldiers, emergency workers, and schoolchildren.
3. Enhanced Load Capacity - Development of backpacks that can carry heavier loads with the same energetic cost, providing users with increased carrying capacity and convenience.
Industry Implications
1. Outdoor Gear and Equipment - Opportunity for outdoor gear and equipment manufacturers to create and market suspended-load ergonomic backpacks for hikers, travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
2. Military and Defense - Disruptive innovation opportunity for the military and defense industry to adopt suspended-load ergonomic backpacks to enhance soldiers' mobility, comfort, and injury prevention capabilities.
3. Education and School Supplies - Potential for the education industry to provide suspended-load ergonomic backpacks designed specifically for schoolchildren, reducing the risk of muscle and orthopedic injuries caused by heavy book bags.
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