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Energetics in elite race walkers
Naroa Etxebarria1, Wayne Spratford1, Jon Iriberri2
1University of Canberra Research Institute of Sport and Exercise, Canberra, Australia.
European Journal of Sport Science
|August 11, 2021
Summary
Elite race walkers maintain consistent energy cost across varying speeds and distances. Their race walking economy is significantly higher than that of endurance runners, highlighting unique physiological demands.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Race walking demands a specific gait with continuous ground contact.
- The impact of this unique gait on race walking economy remains unclear.
- Understanding energy expenditure is crucial for optimizing performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the energy cost (C_RW) at different race walking velocities.
- To assess changes in energy cost over a 25 km hybrid walk.
- To compare the energy cost of elite race walkers with elite endurance runners.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-one international-level male race walkers participated.
- Incremental treadmill testing and a 25 km hybrid (treadmill-overground) walk were conducted.
- Energy cost was measured continuously using metabolic measurements.
Main Results:
- Race walking economy (C_RW) was similar across submaximal stages.
- Higher-performing athletes tended to exhibit lower C_RW at absolute velocities.
- No substantial change in C_RW was observed from the start to the end of the 25 km walk.
Conclusions:
- Elite race walkers demonstrate consistent energy cost at similar relative intensities.
- Race walkers possess substantially higher energy costs compared to elite endurance runners.
- The findings provide insights into the physiological demands of elite race walking.
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