Springy poles and forehead straps: How to carry more than your own bodyweight

Some communities have developed techniques to help them carry heavier loads. Here's what we can learn from them.

But even with this springy assistance, there can be little doubt that these farm workers are also just supremely strong after years of carrying heavy loads.

Many of us with jobs that don't involve so much fetching and carrying could also benefit from getting stronger, however. So, what does it take to build this kind of strength?

Perhaps the most obvious way of getting stronger and carry more is to build muscle. "Developing big muscles and stabilising those muscles," says Jeffrey Ackerman, an associate teaching professor in mechanical engineering who studies load carrying at the Colorado School of Mines. "Our bodies are adapted to carrying our own body mass, then when you add a lot of weight, you really need to be doing strength training in a consistent way to grow your bigger load-carrying muscles, [such as your core and auxiliary muscles], that support the motion of your body while you're carrying things. The only way to train these muscles is through intensive and progressive strength training."

But jumping straight into lifting heavy weights is not recommended. Instead, experts recommend focusing on technique and starting with loads that can be comfortably lifted before progressively increasing the training.

There are other ways, however, of increasing how much you can carry without having to spend hours at the gym. And, much like the farmers in Vietnam, some communities have developed techniques to help them shoulder impressive loads often over long distances.

While researchers are still grappling with its biomechanical advantages, the act of carrying a heavy load like a sherpa essentially counts as a combination of weight training and cardio – both of which are important for carrying loads for long periods of time. "Many sherpas have been doing it for years and have built up this endurance cardio and core supporting muscle strength," says Jeffrey Ackerman, an associate teaching professor in mechanical engineering at the Colorado School of Mines.

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

While you may never have to carry a load across mountains like a sherpa or have the urge to break world records like an Olympic weightlifter – perhaps the exceptional power of these people will inspire you to pick up a dumbbell and see how much you can lift.

Go on, you might surprise yourself.