Article

The purpose of the study was to investigate and report age-related changes in
walking energy expenditure using different methods of energy estimation. For 81
children and 16 adults (3-35 years) energy expenditure was investigated by using
the following methods: analysis of energy changes of the centre of body mass
(external and internal mechanical work), sum of segmental energies, sum of net
joint work and gross and net metabolic cost, as well as net non-dimensional
oxygen cost. Different methods of energy estimation not only show different
outcome results but also different age-related changes. Significant changes were
found for negative net joint work, external mechanical work and recovery as well
as sum of segmental energies, until 9, 11 and 19 years respectively. Positive net
joint work showed no differences between age groups and the differences for
internal work did not suggest development. Metabolic energy showed significant
changes until adult age. Gross cost decreases with increasing age in children
and, although more gradually, still in adolescents. Net and net non-dimensional
cost shows a more constant decrease with increasing age until adulthood.
Therefore, the choice of estimation method and the use of age-related reference
data when evaluating young patients should be carefully considered. For
interpretation of oxygen consumption in children the use of net is superior to
gross cost, but even after net non-dimensional normalization, age-related
reference data should be used.
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Langue : ANGLAIS