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Metabolic Rate

Metabolic Rate

The human body is a powerhouse of energy, with every cell performing numerous functions that require energy. This energy production and consumption is measured by the metabolic rate, which quantifies the total heat generated by all the body's chemical reactions and mechanical work. This measurement helps to determine the rate of kilocalorie (kcal) consumption needed to fuel all ongoing activities.
The Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) measures the energy expended at rest.
Several factors influence the...

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Related Experiment Video

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Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Published on: January 15, 2016

Why is walker-assisted gait metabolically expensive?

Jonathon R Priebe¹, Rodger Kram

¹Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0354, USA.

|June 14, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Four-footed walker use significantly increases metabolic cost compared to other assistive devices and unassisted walking. This higher energy expenditure is attributed to slow speed, a step-to gait, and the effort of lifting the walker.

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Last Updated: Jun 1, 2026

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Published on: January 15, 2016

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Published on: August 30, 2016

Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Human locomotion
Assistive device technology

Background:

Walker-assisted gait is known to be metabolically demanding.
Previous research often compared metabolic costs at different walking speeds, limiting direct comparisons.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the metabolic power consumption of different walker types (2-wheeled, 4-wheeled, 4-footed) and unassisted walking at a standardized speed.
To identify the factors contributing to the high metabolic cost associated with 4-footed walker use.

Main Methods:

10 healthy adults walked at 0.30m/s using no device, a 2-wheeled, a 4-wheeled, and a 4-footed walker.
Metabolic power demand was measured for each condition.
Additional measurements included unassisted walking at 1.25m/s, step-to gait at 0.30m/s, and walker lifting.

Main Results:

At 0.30m/s, 4-footed walker use was 82% more metabolically expensive than unassisted walking at the same speed.
Compared at 0.30m/s, 4-footed walker use was 55-74% more expensive than 2-wheeled and 4-wheeled walkers.
The combined metabolic cost of step-to gait and lifting the 4-footed walker equaled its usage cost.

Conclusions:

The high metabolic cost of 4-footed walker-assisted gait stems from a combination of slow walking speed, a step-to gait pattern, and the energy required for repeated walker lifting.
These findings highlight the significant energetic burden imposed by 4-footed walkers, even when compared to other assistive devices at equivalent speeds.