Effect of walking speed on energy metabolism in middle-aged women / 体力科学

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the relationship between walking speed and energy metabolism. The speed at which energy consumption per km of walking was lowest was defined as“economical speed”; the speed at which each subject felt most natural was defined as“comfortable speed”; and the fastest speed at which each subject was able to walk was defined as“fast speed”.<BR>Energy consumption during 60-minutes of walking was 342±11 kcal at fast speed, 248±13 kcal at comfortable speed, and 201± 17 kcal at economical speed. The value at fast speed was significantly higher than at other speeds (P<0.001) . As for source of energy consumption, energy derived from carbohydrates was 233±16 kcal at fast speed, accounting for 68% of total energy consumption, 149±19 kcal at comfortable speed, and 109±13 kcal at economical speed. Energy derived from fat was 109±10 kcal at fast speed, 99±14 kcal at comfortable speed, and 92±12 kcal at economical speed, with no significant difference among the 3 speeds. No difference was observed among the 3 speeds in change in plasma lipid levels after walking compared with before walking.