Skip to main content

Energetics of Human Walking

  • Chapter
Neural Control of Locomotion

Part of the book series: Advances in Behavioral Biology ((ABBI,volume 18))

Abstract

Equations predicting the energy expenditure during human walking are discussed. It is shown that a hyperbolic equation adequately predicts energy expenditure over the entire range of normal walking speeds, while an equation of quadratic form is adequate for speeds up to about 100 m/min, and also predicts energy expenditure at competition speeds.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Atzler, E. and Herbst, R., (1927) Arbeitsphysiologische Studien. Part 3. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 215, 291–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bobbert, A.C., (1960) Energy expenditure in level and grade walking. J. Appl. Physiol. 15, 1015–1021.

    Google Scholar 

  • Booyens, J. and Keatinge, W.R., (1957) The expenditure of energy by men and women walking. J. Physiol. ( London ) 138, 165–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavagna, G.A., Saibene, F.P. and Margaria, R., (1963) External work in walking. J. Appl. Physiol. 18, 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corcoran, P.J. and Brengelmann, G.L., (1970) Oxygen uptake in normal and handicapped subjects, in relation to speed of walking beside velocity-controlled cart. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehab. 51, 78–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotes, J.E. and Meade, F., (1960) The energy expenditure and mechanical energy demand in walking. Ergonomics. 3, 97–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cotes, J.E., Meade, F. and Wise, M.E., (1957) Standardization of test exercise. Fed. Proc. 16, 25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dempster, W.T., (1955) Space requirements of the seated operator. Geometrical, kinematic, and mechanical aspects of the body with special reference to the limbs. U.S. Wright Air Development Center. Technical Report 55–159. ( Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio ).

    Google Scholar 

  • Durnin, J.V.G.A. and Passmore, R., (1967) Energy, Work and Leisure. Heinemann Educational Books Ltd., London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenn, W.O., (1930) Work against gravity and work due to velocity changes in running. Movements of the center of gravity within the body and foot pressure on the ground. Am. J. Physiol. 93, 433–462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirschberg, G.G. and Ralston, H.J., (1965) Energy cost of stair-climbing in normal and hemiplegic subjects. Am. J. Phys. Med. 44, 165–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, I., (1961) Statistical studies of recorded energy expenditure of man. Part II. Expenditure on walking related to weight, sex, age, height, speed and gradient. Nutr. Abstr. Rev. 31, 739–762.

    Google Scholar 

  • Margaria, R., (1938) Sulla fisiologia e specialmente sul consumo energetico della marcia e della corsa a varie velocitâ ed inclinazioni del terreno. Vol. 7. Atti Reale Accad. Naz. Lincei. Giovanni Bardi, Rome.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menier, D.R. and Pugh, L.G.C.E., (1968) The relation of oxygen intake and velocity of walking and running, in competition walkers. J. Physiol. 19.7, 717–721.

    Google Scholar 

  • Molen, N.H. and Rozendal, R.H., (1967) Energy expenditure in normal test subjects walking on a motor-driven treadmill. Proc. kon. ned. Akad. Wet. C 75, 192–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Molen, N.H. and Rozendal, R.H., (1972) Fundamental characteristics of human gait in relation to sex and location. Proc. kon. ned. Akad. Wet. C 75, 215–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Molen, N.H., Rozendal, R.H. and Boon, W., (1972) Graphic representation of the relationship between oxygen-consumption and characteristics of normal gait of the human male. Proc. kon. ned. Akad. Wet. C 75, 305–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muller, E.A., (1950) Der Wirkungsgrad des Gehens. Arbeitsphysiolagie. 14, 236–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ralston, H.J., (1958) Energy-speed relation and optimal speed during level walking. Int. Z. angew. Physiol. 17, 277–283

    Google Scholar 

  • Ralston, H.J. and Lukin, L., (1969) Energy levels of human body segments during level walking. Ergonomics. 12, 39–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sears, F.W. and Zemansky, M.W., (1963) University Physics. Ed. 3. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., London, (179–180).

    Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, L., Lee, G., Plotkin, T., Sawyers, L.A. and Yancey, A.R., (1951) Air flow measurements on human subjects with and without respiratory resistance at several work rates. A.M.A. Arch. Ind. Hygiene Occup. Med. 3, 461–478.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snellen, J.W., (1960) External work in level and grade walking on

    Google Scholar 

  • a motor-driven treadmill. J. Appl. Physiol. 15, 759–763.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spanner, D.C., (1964) Introduction to Thermodynamics. Academic Press, London and New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkie, D.R., (1960) Man as a source of mechanical power. Ergonomics. 3, 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkie, D.R., (1974) The efficiency of muscular contraction. J. Mechanochem. Cell Motility. 2, 257–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyndham, C.H., van der Walt, W.H., van Rensburg, A.J., Rogers, G.G. and Strydom, N.B., (1971) The influence of body weight on energy expenditure during walking on a road and on a treadmill. Int. Z. angew. Physiol. 29, 285–292.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zarrugh, M.Y., Todd, F.N. and Ralston, H.J., (1974) Optimization of energy expenditure during level walking. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 33, 293–306.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1976 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ralston, H.J. (1976). Energetics of Human Walking. In: Herman, R.M., Grillner, S., Stein, P.S.G., Stuart, D.G. (eds) Neural Control of Locomotion. Advances in Behavioral Biology, vol 18. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0964-3_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0964-3_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-0966-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-0964-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics