Physiological and Psychological Differences Between 20% Grade Incline Walking and Level-Grade Jogging at Isocaloric...

High-incline walking is a relatively new trend with little comparative information. This study compared physiological and psychological differences between high-incline walking at 20% grade (HIW) and level-grade jogging (LGJ) at isocaloric intensities in young adults. Twenty-two participants (M = 11, F = 11) aged 19-31 years completed the study. Participants completed HIW and LGJ on a treadmill for twenty minutes on two separate occasions and matched at isocaloric intensities. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), maintainability (HCM), and affective valence using the Feeling Scale (FS) were measured at minutes 2, 10, and 20. Gas exchange and heart rate (HR) were continuously recorded. Post-exercise, participants completed the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) and 0-100 Likelihood scale. Relative oxygen uptake between LGJ and HIW (24.25 ± 3.53; 24.11 ± 3.63 mL/kg/min; p = .570, d = -.12), total calories (LGJ = 169.78 ± 35.80; HIW = 171.07 ± 35.09 kcal; p = .504), RER (LGJ = .86 ± .03; HIW = .88 ± .04; p = .137), and HR (LGJ = 146.28 ± 18.29; HIW = 143.94 ± 21.26 bpm; p = .146) was not different. LGJ (96.82 ± 15.76) had significantly higher total PACES (96.82 ± 15.76) and Likelihood scores (75.86 ± 18.30) than HIW (85.14 ± 15.08, p < .001; 65.09 ± 25.45, p = .032) respectively. RPE for both LGJ and HIW increased significantly with time (p < .001), but not between tests (p = .312). FS for LGJ and HIW increased significantly between tests (p = .008), but not between time (p = .083). At isocaloric intensities, young adults preferred and enjoyed LGJ relative to HIW.