Abstract
The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in energy cost of walking (C), ventilation (VE), respiratory frequency (RF), heart rate (HR), expiratory ratio (RER), blood lactate concentration (LA), body mass (W) and stride duration (SD) after a 3 hour race walk at competition pace in elite race walkers. Subjects were tested during 2 submaximal treadmill tests at 12.2 +/- 0.5 km.h(-1) (74.7% VO2max speed) before and after a 3 hour overground walk. Significant increases (p < 0.05) were found in C, HR and significant decreases were found in RER, W, VE whereas no changes were observed in LA or SD (means and intra-subject variability). However, a wide range of individual coefficients of variation were observed for C, VE, RF, HR, SD, W. These results suggest that in well trained walkers the energy cost of walking increases with exercise duration but that walkers are able to maintain the same stride duration after the test when treadmill speed is controlled. Furthermore, some individuals appear to be more sensitive to fatigue. Discussion set out a possible effect of substrate utilisation changes, thermoregulation or a decrease in mechanical efficiency for maintaining the race walk gait apart from the effect of fatigue.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
