Energy-speed relation and optimal speed during level walking (original) (raw)

Summary and Conclusions

Energy expenditures in 12 male and 7 female untrained adult subjects were measured with Max Planck respirometers while walking in the laboratory at speeds of 24.4, 48.8, 73.2 and 97.6 meters/ min. The results were collated with those of other investigators, and the following conclusions were drawn:

1. 1. During level walking, the energy expenditure is a linear function of the square of the speed. The relation is: \(\dot E_w = 29 + 0.0053v^2 \), where \(\dot E_w \) is energy expenditure in cal/min/kg, and v is speed in meters/min.
2. 1. The energy expenditure per unit distance walked is derived from the above equation and is shown to be a hyperbola having a minimal value of 0.78 cal/meter/kg at a speed of 74 meters/min.
3. 1. A given subject adopts a “natural” speed of walking that corresponds to a minimal value of the energy expenditure expressed as cal/ meter/kg.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Biomechanics Laboratory, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
   H. J. Ralston
2. Biomechanics Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
   H. J. Ralston

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1. H. J. Ralston
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Additional information

This investigation was supported in part by research grant 4856 (C) (Principal Investigator: Dr.Verne T. Inman) from the National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service; by research grant SP-165 (Project Director: Dr.Gregory Bard) from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; and by contract VAm-23110 (Principal Investigator: ProfessorHoward D.Eberhart) from the Veterans Administration.

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Ralston, H.J. Energy-speed relation and optimal speed during level walking.Int. Z. Angew. Physiol. Einschl. Arbeitsphysiol. 17, 277–283 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00698754

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• Received: 20 June 1958
• Published: 01 October 1958
• Issue Date: October 1958
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00698754

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