One study examined the sherpa method of carrying by testing 10 physically fit agricultural workers, where each carried 10% then 40% of their body weight while walking on an inclined treadmill. It found that using supports such as a hip and shoulder strap meant that the heart rate and oxygen consumption of participants significantly decreased, as opposed to without the straps. Essentially, the straps help sherpas to either carry loads faster, or for a longer distance.

Researchers of load carriage have found that the ability to lift heavy loads depends on a variety of factors, including age, training regimes, gender, muscular strength and body composition, climate, terrain as well as the position of the load on the body. Some engineers have turned to the idea of a spring-loaded or "floating" backpack, to ease the force of loads on the back and shoulders and allowing them to move more naturally with our bodies as we walk. 

Military load carrying also offers a fascinating lens into our capability of holding extreme weight.

Soldiers often wear and carry loads that exceed 45kg (99lbs), which consist of equipment and weapons for survival and protection, such as body armour, ammunition, patrol packs and heavy boots. This is particularly true where motor vehicles cannot be used, either due to the terrain or to avoid the risk of detection, and therefore survival and mission success often depends on how quickly soldiers can move while carrying such weight.