title: Effects of load carriage, load position, and walking speed on energy cost of walking.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of load, load position, and walking speed on the energy cost of walking per unit distance (Cw: ml/kg/m).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight young male subjects walked on a treadmill at various speeds with and without load in the hands, on the back, and on the legs. The Cw values were determined from the ratio of 2-min steady-state oxygen consumption (Vo2) above resting value (net Vo2) to the walking speed (v): Cw = net Vo2/v.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An energy-saving phenomenon was observed when the load was carried on the back at slower speeds. This phenomenon diminished at faster speeds, particularly when walking faster than 90 m/min. It was also observed when the load was carried in the hands at slower speeds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings partly supported our hypothesis that an energy-saving phenomenon would be observed due to an interaction between rotative torque around the center of body mass and excessive burden on the lower muscles as a function of speed.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Integrated Cultures and Humanities, University of East Asia, 2-1 Ichinomiya Gakuen-cho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 751-8503, Japan. daijiro@po.cc.toua-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Daijiro
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Kazumasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yanagawa
authors.forename: Shigemitsu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Niihata
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*