Caloric cost of walking and running

Twenty-four young adult male subjects were used to study the relationship between total caloric costs (exercise and recovery costs) incurred and speed of movement over a distance of 1 mile. Caloric costs were determined at walking speeds of 3, 4, and 5 mph and at running speeds of 5, 7, and 9 mph. Energy costs were assessed every 20 sec during the activity and during the recovery until the caloric cost returned to pre-established resting levels. The fitness level of the subjects was considered as a moderating variable. 3regression equations to predict caloric cost from body weight, speed of movement, and VO2 max were also developed. Conclusions for the given speeds were: (1) running is more costly than walking, (2) the cost of walking a mile increases with speed of movement, and (3) for running speeds, total caloric cost and VO2 max are inversely related. The independent variables for the regression equation for walking included body weight and speed squared times body weight (R2 = .86). The independent variables for the running equation were identical to the ones used in the walking equation with the addition of speed times VO2 max (R2 = .62).