[pct-l] Ergonomics of where weight is carried while walking

[Jeffrey Olson]

Here's what I found in the article Yoshihiro referred to that seems 
relevant to hikers...

Jeff..


These
results were partly similar to those reported by Jones
et al. (1984, 1986) and Legg and Mahanty (1986). These
studies found increments in the energy cost of a 0.7–
0.9% per 100-g increase in the weight of footwear.

Fig. 5 clearly showed that the energy cost of walking
with loads on the legs was significantly higher than
other conditions at any speed. This result supported
our interpretation that an increment of the mechanical
work done by the leg muscles induced an abrupt
increase in the energy cost of walking.