title: Energy expenditure and physiological responses during walking on a treadmill and moving on the Torqway vehicle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  One of the new products which can be used to increase physical activity and energy expenditure is the Torqway vehicle, powered by the upper limbs. The aim of this study was to (1) assess the usefulness and repeatability of the Torqway vehicle for physical exercise, (2) compare energy expenditure and physiological responses during walking on a treadmill and during physical effort while moving on the Torqway at a constant speed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants (11 men, aged 20.2 ± 1.3) performed the incremental test and submaximal exercises (walking on the treadmill and moving on the Torqway vehicle at the same speed).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Energy expenditure during the exercise on the Torqway was significantly higher (p = 0.001) than during the walking performed at the same speed. The intensity of the exercise performed on the Torqway expressed as %VO2max and %HRmax was significantly ( p < 0.001) higher than during walking (respectively: 35.0 ± 6.0 vs. 29.4 ± 7.4 %VO2max and 65.1 ± 7.3 vs. 47.2 ± 7.4 %HRmax).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exercise on the Torqway vehicle allows for the intensification of the exercise at a low movement speed, comparable to walking. Moving on the Torqway vehicle could be an effective alternative activity for physical fitness and exercise rehabilitation programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Physical Education, Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maciejczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Physical Education, Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiecek
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Motor Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education, Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Jadwiga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szymura
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Physical Education, Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szygula
mesh_terms: D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult