Article

The energy consumption of walking relates to the intensity
of physical effort and
can be affected by the alterations in walking speed. Therefore, walking speed can
be accepted as a crucial, determinant of energy consumption measurement for a
walking test. We aimed to investigate the differences in preferred walking speed
(PWS) determined both on overground and on a treadmill and, to measure walking
energy expenditure and spatio-temporal parameters of gait on a treadmill at both,
speeds. Participants (n=26) walked on a treadmill at two pre-determined speeds
for 7 min while, indirect calorimetry measurements were being performed.
Spatio-temporal parameters were collected, by video-taping during each walking
session on a treadmill. The average overground preferred walking speed (O-PWS)
was 85.96+/-12.82 m/min and the average treadmill preferred walking speed
(T-PWS), was 71.15+/-13.85 m/min. Although T-PWS was lower, oxygen cost was
statistically higher when, treadmill walking at T-PWS (0.158+/-0.02 ml/kg/m) than
when the treadmill walking at O-PWS, (0.1480+/-0.02 ml/kg/m). Cadence (127+/-9.13
steps/min), stride (134.02+/-14.09 cm) and step length (67.02+/-6.90 cm) on the
treadmill walking at O-PWS were significantly higher than cadence (119+/-10
steps/min), stride (117.96+/-14.38 cm) and step length (59.13+/-7.02 cm) on the
treadmill walking at TPWS. In conclusion, walking on treadmill using O-PWS is
more efficient than walking on treadmill using TPWS, in walking tests. Since
using T-PWS for treadmill walking tests overestimates the oxygen cost of walking,
O-PWS should be used for oxygen consumption measurement during treadmill walking tests.
CI - Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS