Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Assessment of Physical Activity Intensity with Accelerometers and Oxygen Consumption
Published on: June 20, 2025
Energy expenditure and perceived effort during brisk walking and running in 8- to 10-year-old children
Paul Ford1, Richard Bailey, Damian Coleman
1School of Health and Bioscience, University of East London, Stratford Campus, London, England, UK.
Abstract:
There are no previous reports of energy expenditure and perceived effort during brisk-walking and running at speeds self-selected by young children. Fifty four participants (age 8-11 years old) performed 1500 m of brisk-walking and running in a marked school playground, and were given simple instructions to either 'walk quickly' or to 'jog'. During the running the children achieved higher mean speeds and a greater total energy expenditure (p < .001). However, there was no difference in the perceived effort between the two activities (p > .05). These findings suggest that under certain conditions children find it just as easy to run as they do to walk briskly, even though the speed and energy expenditure is significantly higher.
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Metabolic Rate
The Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) measures the energy expended at rest.
Several factors influence the...
Energy Budgets and Reproductive Strategies
