Characteristics of physical workload in the mountains depending on height, terrain and walking pace

Abstract

Identification of parameters characterizing the human response to the workload depending on height and terrain is important for solving practical problems of workload regulation. The purpose of research was to study body reaction when performing the same physical activity on the plain and in the mountains, on flat and rough terrain, uphill and when walking at different rates. Ten athletes of the second rank were supervised. The studies were carried out in the plain and in the Tien Shan Mountains at an altitude of 2000 meters. When walking under various conditions, heart rate and minute respiration rate, gas exchange, and energy expenditures were recorded. Research results and discussion. It was found that walking in the mountains at the same rate of 4.5 km / h on rough terrain with a slope of 15 degrees, compared with walking on flat terrain, increases heart rate by 21, 3%, minute respiration rate by 42.3%, energy expenditure by 40, 8%. Walking uphill with the same speed causes heart rate increased by 40.5%, an increase in minute respiration rate by 78.2% and a double increase in energy expenditure. When walking down a slope of 20 degrees, there is a clear tendency to reduction of energy expenditure. The increase in walking speed from 4.5 to 6.5 km/h when climbing uphill is accompanied by a linear increase in minute respiration rate and energy expenditure, which grows up to 11 kcal/min. Conclusion. Based on the research, we have designed the tables describing the energy cost, heart rate and minute respiration rate during walking at a rate from 2.5 to 7 km/h, depending on the walking speed on different terrain, angle of ascent and elevation.