Abstract
Previous studies have indicated that performance after load-carrying may be related to psychological fatigue rather than physiological impairment. This study measured performance on a battery of psychomotor tests and subjective fatigue ratings after 10 5s carried loads of 14 and 34 lb. over a 2-mile test course. These scores are compared with those obtained after several periods of inactivity. Subjective fatigue was significantly related to all test scores but not to time required to walk the course. Although performance was poorer after load-carrying than after inactivity, scores for load-carrying conditions were higher for the 34-lb. load than they were for the 14-lb. load when both were carried in a comfortable position. This is taken to suggest that, under some conditions, carrying greater weights may have an activation effect on psychomotor performance and may even reduce subjective fatigue.
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