With all this new technology why do soldiers have a heavier load now than 20 years ago?

Average load that a soldier carries now is over 100 pounds. They are not soldiers they are pack mules. Whatever happened to maneuver warfare? Someone needs to do an actual scientific study on combat loads and how it effects soldiers performance in the field especially in the mountains and the injuries that occur do to being overloaded. I have seen the majority of my unit leave the military with ankle, knee, hip and back problems because of these excessively heavy loads.