Dissertations and Theses Spring 2013 Effects of Pack Weight on Endurance of Long-distance Hikers Anthony T. Thomas Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.erau.edu/edt Part of the Applied Behavior Analysis Commons, Health Psychology Commons, and the Sports Studies Commons Scholarly Commons Citation Thomas, Anthony T., "Effects of Pack Weight on Endurance of Long-distance Hikers" (2013). Dissertations and Theses. 140. https://commons.erau.edu/edt/140 This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. EFFECTS OF PACK WEIGHT ON ENDURANCE OF LONG-DISTANCE HIKERS by ANTHONY T. THOMAS B.S., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2010 A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Human Factors & Systems in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Human Factors & Systems Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach, Florida Spring 2013 Copyright by Anthony T. Thomas, 2013 All Rights Reserved ii Abstract Hikers attempting long-distance trails, like the Appalachian Trail, load their backpacks down with gear that may exceed ideal limits on pack weight. Hikers pack clothing to deal with changing weather conditions, sleeping bags, tents, tarps, cooking gear, food, water and other accessories to compensate for the lack of comfort in the remote wilderness. These heavy weights may affect hikers’ ability to walk in comfort and result in physical injuries such as ankle sprains, knee pain, muscular fatigue, and soft tissue damage. Heavy pack weights can cause injuries and possibly prevent hikers from completing long distance hikes. This study evaluated pack weight to understand the limits of long-term load carriage. Participants were Appalachian Trail hikers who attempted to complete the entire trail in the 2012 season. Hikers were asked to complete a series of online surveys throughout the duration of their hike to assess pack weight, body weight, injuries/illnesses sustained, miles hiked, and reasons for quitting a long-distance hike. Through logistic regression analysis an equation for the prediction of completing the trail was developed. The evaluations of pack weight, load percentage of total body weight, average miles hiked per day, Body Mass Index (BMI), experience, and gender revealed how they affect the prediction process. The independent variables used for prediction show interdependency throughout the analysis with moderate relationships that would be required to successfully predict a hiker to complete the trail. In addition, there was supporting data that reflected higher instances of pack related injury reports to hikers who carried heavier pack weights. This study illustrates trends in pack weight and load percentages that may provide useful in suggesting weight limits to increase the iv success rates of hikers and reduce injuries. The hypothesis that hikers were negatively affected in the number of miles hiked as pack weight increases was supported in the study. v Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ ix List of Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................... x Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail .................................................................................. 2 Backpack Fit .................................................................................................................... 5 Pack Weight .................................................................................................................... 8 Distribution of Pack Weight .......................................................................................... 14 Factors That Affect Completing a Thru-hike ................................................................ 15 Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................................... 18 Method .......................................................................................................................................... 21 Participants .................................................................................................................... 23 Surveys .......................................................................................................................... 25 Results ........................................................................................................................................... 29 Logistic Regression Analysis ........................................................................................ 29 Factor Analysis .............................................................................................................. 39 Repeated Measures Analysis ......................................................................................... 43 Load Percentage Categories .......................................................................................... 53 vi Hypotheses Results ....................................................................................................... 55 Additional Analyses ...................................................................................................... 57 Prediction and Factors ................................................................................................... 57 Pack Weight Limits ....................................................................................................... 76 Discussion ..................................................................................................................................... 83 Pack Load Score ............................................................................................................ 84 Study Strengths and Weaknesses .................................................................................. 85 Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 87 References ..................................................................................................................................... 89 Appendix A ................................................................................................................................... 97 Informed Consent Form ................................................................................................ 97 Appendix B ................................................................................................................................. 100 Survey Questions......................................................................................................... 100 Appendix C ................................................................................................................................. 102 Survey Announcement ................................................................................................ 102 vii List of Tables Table 1 Descriptive Statistics Continuous Predictor Variables ......................................... 30 Table 2 Frequencies Categorical Predictor Variables ........................................................ 31 Table 3 Logistic Regression Variables in the Equation, SPSS Output .............................. 33 Table 4 Pack Weight and Load Percentage Scoring Descriptions ..................................... 40 Table 5 Pattern/Structure Coefficients from PCA with Varimax Rotation ....................... 41 Table 6 Pattern/Structure Coefficients from EFA with Varimax Rotation ........................ 42 Table 7 Descriptive Statistics, Repeated Measures of Completed Trail ............................ 43 Table 8 Body Mass Index (BMI) Pairwise Comparisons .................................................. 45 Table 9 Means Comparisons by CompTrail ...................................................................... 58 Table 10 Injuries First Reported - Baseline to Survey 1 Means Comparisons .................... 68 Table 11 Means Comparisons by Experience ...................................................................... 74 Table 12 Means Comparisons by Gender and Completed the Trail .................................... 75 Table 13 Trends in Pack Weight and Load Percentages ...................................................... 78 Table 14 Comparisons of Pack Weight Limits .................................................................... 82 viii List of Figures Figure 1 How to adjust a backpack ....................................................................................... 7 Figure 2 Load percentage of total body weight chart .......................................................... 11 Figure 3 How to calculate BMI ..........................................................................................