Respiratory response during upslope walking with different ways to carry a baby using baby carrier

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the difference in the ways to carry a baby using a baby carrier on the respiratory response during upslope walking. Fourteen healthy adults participated in this study. We set the individualized walking speed at 30% of the maximum oxygen uptake at 0% grade. The test began at 0% grade walking on the treadmill and increased by 2% every 5 min until 8%. The test was performed randomly in these two conditions: holding an infant model weighing approximately 15% of body weight in front of the subject with a baby carrier (F) and backpack with a baby carrier (B). Heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO₂), minute ventilation (VE), tidal volume (TV), respiratory exchange ratio (R), and respiratory rate (RR) were measured and the values from the last 1 min of each grade were averaged. HR, VO₂, VE, TV, R, and RR significantly increased with increasing grade in each condition. There were no significant differences in interaction effects in HR, VO₂, VE, TV, R, and RR. This study suggests that the difference in the ways to carry a baby using a baby carrier has no effects on the respiratory response during upslope walking at a speed corresponding to 30% of the maximum oxygen uptake at 0% grade until 8% grade.