Conclusions

The completion of the experiments from the limited sampling of data concluded that the positioning of the load within a backpack was definitely a factor determining the required counterbalancing force.  In the lateral direction, moving the load closer to the spine reduced the counterbalancing force.  In the vertical direction, the experiments did not conclusively show any force tendencies.  Experiment 1 suggested that moving the load further away from the shoulder was most effective in lowering the force although test subjects carrying a loaded backpack preferred wearing the load higher.  This validated the initial hypothesis.