An Examination of Efficiency during Walking in Children and Adults

Abstract

This study compared metabolic, kinematic, and efficiency parameters in 10 boys and 10 men while walking at speeds of similar relative intensities. Heart rate and oxygen consumption were monitored throughout the exercise and a sagittal view of the subject was filmed for biomechanical analysis. Angles of the hip, knee, and ankle changed with an increase in walking speed. There were kinematic differences between children and adults at the hip and knee. Heart rate and oxygen consumption (ml•kg−1•min−1) were greater in the children. There were no significant differences between children and adults when VO2 was normalized by body surface area rather than body mass. The work done by the body was greater in the adults, whereas the energy used was greater in the children. Therefore the children appeared less efficient. The reasons for the efficiency difference are not well documented. Scaling effects may be involved and therefore should be taken into consideration when comparing children and adults.

Energy Expenditure and Perceived Effort During Brisk Walking and Running in 8- to 10-Year-Old Children

“…However, in children, although there is limited review of this topic, studies by Rowlands et al (29) and Walker et al (33) reported that gender does not affect estimated EE during walking in adolescents, which supports the finding in this study. The gender difference that is apparent in adults, and not children, is potentially related to physiological and biomechanical differences that have not manifested in the prepubescent participants (6,30). A limitation of this study is that the impact of any gender influences on the results could have been better shown with the use of an analysis of covariance, rather than using smaller sample sized groups and reducing statistical power.…”

“…'overweight' and obese is increasing (4). Walking and running are popular forms of physical activity, especially because they are self-regulated and involve no special skills or facilities (6,26). They use major muscle groups of the body and result in increased EE, which can potentially reduce body fatness (20).…”

Determinants of Work in the Six-Minute Walk Test in School-Age Children

“…Nutritional status analysis is relevant in the functional evaluation of children, since mass gain is associated with an increase in overweight and obesity. This does not necessarily imply higher 6MWT work production, since these conditions lead to worse 6MWT performance for the age group (lower 6MWT distance ) in addition to generating metabolic overload to the individual [1,30]. Compared to adults, the height and weight directly influence the work produced during walking, considering the body's necessary displacement in the environment.…”

“…Compared to adults, the height and weight directly influence the work produced during walking, considering the body's necessary displacement in the environment. This is particularly applicable to children, who present a higher energy cost per kilogram of body weight per meter of distance traveled [13,29,30].…”

Cardiorespiratory fitness predicts later body mass index, but not other cardiovascular risk factors from childhood to adolescence

“…Indeed, there are many concerns regarding the use of running tests as an indicator of CRF in young children. Performance in the growing years can be compromised in many children due to their relative immaturity from a biomechanical and energy efficiency perspective (Ebbeling et al, 1992), as well as their motivation, especially in girls. However, the easy administration of shuttle-run test and its common use in large-scale studies makes it a valuable tool for studying CRF in youth.…”