Biomechanical Analysis of the Farmers and Zercher Carry Exercises
The IUSCA's International Journal of Strength and Conditioning is the world leading Diamond Open Access journal in S&C and Sport Science. We have recently published a new article by Decker, A., Fagley, J., McNally, S., Regalski, Z., Rhinehart, K., Urda, A., Holmstrup, M., & Dicus, J. (2026). titled "A Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of the Farmers and Zercher Carry Exercises”
Abstract
The loaded carry is a movement pattern characterized by walking for a set time or distance with an externally applied resistance. The application of an external load alters the body’s biomechanics, creating an environment for potential adaptation and performance enhancement. Further, the location of the load may have additional adaptation implications as a result of center of mass (CoM) changes which may impact body stability. Specifically, a resistance carried anterior to the body as done in the Zercher Carry (ZC), causing a vertical and anterior translation of the CoM, may stimulate different compensatory mechanisms from the Farmers Carry where the load is held at the sides of the body, keeping the CoM in its relative anatomical location. To investigate this, healthy, college aged individuals were recruited and their anthropometric data was captured. Participants were then prepped for surface electromyography with electrodes placed on their dominant side rectus abdominis, external oblique, multifidus, longissimus, upper trapezius, and middle deltoid. Maximal voluntary isometric contractions were performed to standardize muscle activation. Participants were outfitted with inertial measurement units for the trunk and lower limb to capture gait and joint kinematics. One counterbalanced 5-meter walk loaded with 100% fat free mass was completed for each exercise with participants stepping on a force plate halfway to capture single step ground reaction forces (GRF). Data for all variables were compared utilizing a MANOVA. Comparisons between the FC and ZC revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) in muscle activation (e.g., multifidus: FC 12.0 ± 6.7 v. ZC 25.4 ± 13.0), joint kinematics (e.g., lumbar extension: FC -4.4 ± 4.1 v. ZC 2.0 ± 6.5), gait (e.g., stride length: FC 108.1 ± 9.4 v. ZC 101.4 ± 9.4) and GRFs (e.g., anterior GRF: FC 22.3 ± 6.8 v. ZC 17.5 ± 7.4). The differences observed between the ZC and FC as a result of load position may implicate unique adaptation and influence how these exercises should be implemented in resistance training programs.
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