title: Energy costs of walking on a dual-action treadmill in men and women.
abstract: The physiological responses of normal walking and walking on a dual action treadmill which incorporates arm exercise were compared in 29 men and 37 women. Subjects completed six, 5-min steady-state exercises at 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 mph (0.89, 1.34, 1.79 m.s-1) and 3% incline with and without arms. Estimated METs calculated according to the ACSM equations were compared with the actual METs. The men's ventilation (VE), and VO2 (l.min-1, ml.kg-1.min-1, and METs) were significantly (P < 0.001) higher at all speeds and for both conditions than the women's. There were no gender differences (P > 0.05) in heart rates (HR), respiratory exchange ratio, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) for each condition. The arm conditions yielded significantly (P < 0.001) higher responses at each speed for VE, l.min-1, ml.kg-1.min-1, METs, RPE, and HR. Although there were no significant (P < 0.05) differences in HR between men and women for each condition, the relationships between ml.kg-1.min-1 and HR differed. The actual METs obtained during the arm conditions were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those estimated for both the men and women at all speeds. It was concluded that using the arms while walking on a dual action treadmill increases the energy costs an average of 55% above normal walking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Wisconsin--LaCrosse 54601.
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Butts
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Knox
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Foley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*