Energy cost of running

Abstract

Indirect calorimetric measurements were made on two athletes running at different speeds up to 22 km/hr at grades from -20 to +15%; the function was found to be linearly related to speed. Within these limits, the net kilocalories per kilogram per kilometer values seem to be independent of speed and related only to the incline. These values are about 5–7% lower than those found in nonathletic subjects, which shows that training in atheletes does not lead to great improvement. A nomogram is given for easily calculating the energy expenditure in running when the speed and the incline are known. The energy cost per kilometer in horizontal run (1 kcal/kg) is about double that for walking at the most economical speed (4 km/ hr). Submitted on July 31, 1962

Predicting metabolic cost of running with and without backpack loads

“…Recent studies imply, however, that each lOOg increase in total weight of footwear causes a 0.7 -1.0% Increase In energy cost (Jones et al 1984;Jones et al 1986; Legg and Mahanty 1986 The validity of the prediction model was tested by its ability to predict the metabolic cost of running under different conditions. The results reported in different publications (Margaria et al 1963;Pugh 1970;Falls and Humphrey 1976;Keren et al 1981;Francis and Hobbler 1986) were compared to the calculated values using the basic parameters reported. Bearing in mind the difficulties to extract very accurate data from published reports, the highly significant correlation between the reported and the predicted values (r -0.952, p<0.02) and the fact that almost all data points fall In the range of +10% from the line of identity is very encouraging.…”

“…This prediction model of metabolic cost is limited, however, to standing or walking with and without loads, on level or graded terrains, but is not applicable for walking speeds above -2.2 m-s or running. At higher speeds, the efficiency of running becomes higher than that of walking, which means that the prediction model of walking overestimates the actual energy cost of running (Ogasawara 1 9 3 4 ; Margaria et al 1963;Keren et al 1981). …”

“…4) with the reported data from various other studies. These reported data, which were extracted from five different reports (Margaria et al 1963;Pugh 1970;Falls and Humphrey 1976;Keren et al 1981;Francis and Hoobler 1986) represent experiments over a wide range of running speeds (2.2-3.6 ms-1), grades (0 or 5%) and loads (0 or 20 kg). A highly significant correlation exists between the predicted and reported values (r -0.952, P<0.02).…”

Effect of intense interval workouts on running economy using three recovery durations

“…The association between running velocity and VOl has been extensively examined 60 (Bransford & Howley, 1977;Conley & Krahenbuhl, 1980;Costill & Fox, 1969;Costill et al, 1971Costill et al, , 1973Davies & Thompson, 1979;Dressendorfer et al, 1977;Hagen et al, 1980;Margaria et al, 1963;Mayhew, 1977;McMiken & Daniels, 1976;Pugh, 1970;Shepard, 1969;Williams & Nute, 1983;Svendenhag & Sjôdin, 1994). RE has generally b~en described as a linear relationship (Daniels.…”

The evolution of endurance running and the tyranny of ethnography: A reply to Pickering and Bunn (2007)

“…Assuming an average human optimal speed of 1.3 m/s, the hunter walked about 14 km. Because the cost of walking is 0.16 l O 2 /kg/km (Margaria et al, 1963;Cavagna and Kaneko, 1977), the hunter spent approximately 700 Kcal (assuming a body mass of 65 kg and a conversion rate of 4.8 kcal/l O 2 ). In contrast, if the hunter had run, then the cost of locomotion increases by only about 30% regardless of speed (to 0.21 l O 2 /kg/km), costing 910 Kcal!…”