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Energy Expenditure and Stability During Self-Paced Walking on Different Slopes

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Date Issued:
2019
Abstract/Description:
Metabolic power and cost of transport (COT) are common quantifiers for effort when performing tasks including walking and running. Most studies focus on using a range of normal walking speeds over level ground or varied slopes. However, these studies use fixed-speed conditions. Fatigue, stability, metabolic expenditure, heart rate, and many other factors contribute to normal walking speed varying over time. This study aimed to show that allowing a subject to walk with a self-paced speed should correlate to a minimum COT at a given slope. This study also aimed to determine if a preferred slope exists based on minimizing metabolic expenditure or maximizing stability. In this study, subjects walked at four different speed conditions including three fixed speeds (0.75 m/s, 1.0 m/s, 1.25 m/s) and their self-paced speed at five different slopes (-6(&)deg;, -3(&)deg;, 0(&)deg;, 3(&)deg;, 6(&)deg;) while metabolic energy expenditure and motion were recorded. The minimum COT occurred at a 3(&)deg; decline. At this slope, some subjects preferred to walk at a faster speed compared to level ground, whereas other subjects walked with a slower speed compared to level ground. Thus, there was a greater range of self-paced speeds, from 0.745 m/s-2.045 m/s. In comparison, at a 6(&)deg; incline, the range of self-paced speeds was much smaller, from 0.767 m/s-1.434 m/s. The variance among self-paced speeds and slope conditions between subjects suggests that COT, alone, does not explain walking decisions; stability might play a greater role than initially believed. These results provide greater insight into why humans choose to walk at a certain speed over a range of slopes and terrains.
Title: Energy Expenditure and Stability During Self-Paced Walking on Different Slopes.
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Name(s): Raffaelli, Alanna, Author
Huang, Helen, Committee Chair
Fu, Qiushi, Committee Member
Kassab, Alain, Committee Member
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2019
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Metabolic power and cost of transport (COT) are common quantifiers for effort when performing tasks including walking and running. Most studies focus on using a range of normal walking speeds over level ground or varied slopes. However, these studies use fixed-speed conditions. Fatigue, stability, metabolic expenditure, heart rate, and many other factors contribute to normal walking speed varying over time. This study aimed to show that allowing a subject to walk with a self-paced speed should correlate to a minimum COT at a given slope. This study also aimed to determine if a preferred slope exists based on minimizing metabolic expenditure or maximizing stability. In this study, subjects walked at four different speed conditions including three fixed speeds (0.75 m/s, 1.0 m/s, 1.25 m/s) and their self-paced speed at five different slopes (-6(&)deg;, -3(&)deg;, 0(&)deg;, 3(&)deg;, 6(&)deg;) while metabolic energy expenditure and motion were recorded. The minimum COT occurred at a 3(&)deg; decline. At this slope, some subjects preferred to walk at a faster speed compared to level ground, whereas other subjects walked with a slower speed compared to level ground. Thus, there was a greater range of self-paced speeds, from 0.745 m/s-2.045 m/s. In comparison, at a 6(&)deg; incline, the range of self-paced speeds was much smaller, from 0.767 m/s-1.434 m/s. The variance among self-paced speeds and slope conditions between subjects suggests that COT, alone, does not explain walking decisions; stability might play a greater role than initially believed. These results provide greater insight into why humans choose to walk at a certain speed over a range of slopes and terrains.
Identifier: CFE0007515 (IID), ucf:52629 (fedora)
Note(s): 2019-05-01
M.S.
Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical and Aerospace Engr
Masters
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): biomechanics -- self-paced walking -- metabolic cost of transport -- stability
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007515
Restrictions on Access: public 2019-05-15
Host Institution: UCF

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