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Rubber bands reduce the cost of carrying loads

Author

Listed:
  • Lawrence C. Rome

    (University of Pennsylvania
    Marine Biological Laboratory)

  • Louis Flynn

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Taeseung D. Yoo

    (University of Pennsylvania)

Abstract

Vertical movement of the hip during locomotion causes a loaded backpack to be accelerated with each step1, which imposes large peak forces on the wearer. Here we show that using bungee cords to suspend the load from a backpack frame reduces not only its vertical movement, and hence its vertical force on the carrier, but also the energetic cost of walking with the pack. This permits larger loads to be carried while moving rapidly, and at the same time reduces the risk of orthopaedic and muscular injury.

Suggested Citation

  • Lawrence C. Rome & Louis Flynn & Taeseung D. Yoo, 2006. "Rubber bands reduce the cost of carrying loads," Nature, Nature, vol. 444(7122), pages 1023-1024, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:444:y:2006:i:7122:d:10.1038_4441023a
    DOI: 10.1038/4441023a
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    Cited by:

    1. Hu Shi & Zhaoying Liu & Xuesong Mei, 2019. "Overview of Human Walking Induced Energy Harvesting Technologies and Its Possibility for Walking Robotics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Liu, Mingyi & Qian, Feng & Mi, Jia & Zuo, Lei, 2022. "Biomechanical energy harvesting for wearable and mobile devices: State-of-the-art and future directions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).

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