Energy Expenditure of Level Overground Walking in Young Adults: Comparison With Prediction Equations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the published prediction equations for determining level overground walking energy cost in young adults. In total, 148 healthy young adults volunteered to participate in this study. Resting metabolic rate and energy expenditure variables at speeds of 4, 5, and 6km/h were measured by indirect calorimetry, walking energy expenditure was estimated by 3 published equations. The gross and net metabolic rate per mile of level overground walking increased with increased speed (all P < .01). Females were less economical than males. The present findings revealed that the American College of Sports Medicine and Pandolf etal equations significantly underestimated the energy cost of overground walking at all speeds (all P < .01) in young adults. The percentage mean bias for American College of Sports Medicine, Pandolf etal, and Weyand etal was 12.4%, 16.8%, 1.4% (4km/h); 21.6%, 15.8%, 7.1% (5km/h); and 27.6%, 12%, 6.6% (6km/h). Bland-Altman plots and prediction error analysis showed that the Weyand etal was the most accurate in 3 existing equations. The Weyand etal equation appears to be the most suitable for the prediction of overground walking energy expenditure in young adults.