Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Artificial Intelligence Is Not a Useful Tool in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine.

Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2026
Same author

Artificial Intelligence Is Not a Useful Tool in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine: Response to Nindl and Freidl.

Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2026
Same author

Small muscle mass aerobic exercise in health and disease: Unique insights into muscle vascular and metabolic control and performance.

Experimental physiology·2026
Same author

Effects of prior heavy exercise on deoxygenation in deep versus superficial muscle regions during subsequent heavy exercise in adult males.

Physiological reports·2026
Same author

RoMa Classification: When the Parts Do Not Equal the Sum.

Journal of the American Heart Association·2026
Same author

Mitochondrial localization around central nuclei in regenerating skeletal muscle following eccentric contraction in rat model.

American journal of physiology. Cell physiology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2025

Measuring the Switch Cost of Smartphone Use While Walking
07:00

Measuring the Switch Cost of Smartphone Use While Walking

Published on: April 30, 2020

1.9K

Quantifying the benefits of inefficient walking: Monty Python inspired laboratory based experimental study.

Glenn A Gaesser1, David C Poole2, Siddhartha S Angadi3

  • 1College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.

BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)
|December 21, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Low efficiency walking, like the "Teabag" style, significantly increases energy expenditure (EE) and oxygen uptake (V̇O₂). This "silly walk" could help adults meet vigorous physical activity goals and improve public health.

More Related Videos

Comprehensive Understanding of Inactivity-Induced Gait Alteration in Rodents
04:37

Comprehensive Understanding of Inactivity-Induced Gait Alteration in Rodents

Published on: July 6, 2022

2.5K
Using a Split-belt Treadmill to Evaluate Generalization of Human Locomotor Adaptation
08:04

Using a Split-belt Treadmill to Evaluate Generalization of Human Locomotor Adaptation

Published on: August 23, 2017

8.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 16, 2025

Measuring the Switch Cost of Smartphone Use While Walking
07:00

Measuring the Switch Cost of Smartphone Use While Walking

Published on: April 30, 2020

1.9K
Comprehensive Understanding of Inactivity-Induced Gait Alteration in Rodents
04:37

Comprehensive Understanding of Inactivity-Induced Gait Alteration in Rodents

Published on: July 6, 2022

2.5K
Using a Split-belt Treadmill to Evaluate Generalization of Human Locomotor Adaptation
08:04

Using a Split-belt Treadmill to Evaluate Generalization of Human Locomotor Adaptation

Published on: August 23, 2017

8.3K

Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology
  • Human Movement Analysis

Background:

  • Assessing the energetic cost of different walking styles is crucial for understanding physical activity.
  • The
  • Ministry of Silly Walks
  • skit provides a unique model for studying inefficient locomotion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the energy expenditure (EE) and oxygen uptake (V̇O₂) of low-efficiency walking styles with typical walking.
  • To quantify the potential health benefits of incorporating inefficient walking patterns into daily physical activity.

Main Methods:

  • Healthy adults performed walking trials at a self-selected speed and in two distinct low-efficiency styles (
  • Teabag
  • and
  • Putey
  • ) inspired by the
  • Monty Python
  • skit.
  • Oxygen uptake (V̇O₂) and energy expenditure (EE) were measured during each trial.

Main Results:

  • The
  • Teabag
  • walk resulted in approximately 2.5 times higher V̇O₂ and EE compared to usual walking (P<0.001).
  • The
  • Teabag
  • walk qualified as vigorous intensity physical activity, increasing daily EE by an average of 5.2–8.0 kcal per minute.
  • The
  • Putey
  • walk did not significantly alter V̇O₂ or EE compared to usual walking.

Conclusions:

  • Low-efficiency walking, specifically the
  • Teabag
  • style, can significantly increase daily energy expenditure.
  • Incorporating even short durations of inefficient walking could help individuals meet physical activity guidelines for vigorous intensity exercise.
  • Promoting inefficient and potentially more joyful movement could contribute to a healthier society.