The Determinants of the Preferred Walking Speed in Individuals with Obesity

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The preferred walking speed (PWS), also known as the “spontaneous” or “self-selected” walking speed, is the speed normally used during daily living activities and may represent an appropriate exercise intensity for weight reduction programs aiming to enhance a more negative energy balance. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of this study was to examine, simultaneously, the energetics, mechanics, and perceived exertion determinants of PWS in individuals with obesity. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Twenty-three adults with obesity (age 32.7 ± 6.8 years, body mass index 33.6 ± 2.6 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) were recruited. The participants performed 10 min of treadmill familiarization, and PWS was determined. Each subject performed six 5-min walking trials (PWS 0.56, 0.83, 1.11, 1.39, and 1.67 m/s). Gas exchanges were collected and analyzed to obtain the gross energy cost of walking (G<sub>Cw</sub>), rated perceived exertion (RPE) was measured using a 6–20 Borg scale, and the external mechanical work (W<sub>ext</sub>) and the fraction of mechanical energy recovered by the pendular mechanism (Recovery) were computed using an instrumented treadmill. Second-order least-squares regression was used to calculate the optimal walking speed (OWS) of each variable. <b><i>Results:</i></b> No significant difference was found between PWS (1.28 ± 0.13 m/s) and OWS for G<sub>Cw</sub> (1.28 ± 0.10 m/s), RPE cost of walking (1.38 ± 0.14 m/s), and Recovery (1.48 ± 0.27 m/s; <i>p</i> > 0.06 for all), but the PWS was significantly faster than the OWS for W<sub>ext</sub> (0.98 ± 0.56 m/s; <i>p</i> < 0.02). Multiple regression (<i>r</i> = 0.72; <i>p</i> = 0.003) showed that ∼52% of the variance in PWS was explained by Recovery, W<sub>ext</sub>, and height. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The main finding of this study was that obese adults may select their PWS in function of several competing demands, since this speed simultaneously minimizes pendular energy transduction, energy cost, and perceived exertion during walking. Moreover, recovery of mechanical work, external work, and height seem to be the major determinants of PWS in these individuals.

Reference Walking Speeds for Healthy Young Adults in Qatar: Moderating Effect of Obesity and Physical Activity

“…In the present study, obese participants showed lower MWS compared to all other BMI categories in the present study (Figure 1). This finding supports previous studies (Fernández Menéndez et al, 2019; Liu & Yang, 2017), indicating that obese adults prefer to walk slower possibly in an effort to decrease the energy expenditure and increase comfort. The slower walking speed found in obese individuals is expected to reduce the energy expenditure, joint loads (DeVita & Hortobágyi, 2003), mechanical work (Malatesta et al, 2009), and/or ground reaction forces (Browning & Kram, 2007) resulting from the additional mass carried against gravity.…”

“…Subsequently, as well as the environment affecting PA levels, it may also affect WS (Levine & Norenzayan, 1999). Although PWS and MWS have previously been related to factors such as maximal strength of lower extremities (Bohannon, 1997) or obesity (Fernández Menéndez et al, 2019), it is unclear how components of PA influence WS outcome measures in healthy young adults. Despite this, only three studies have examined walking behaviors in the Gulf and Arab regions, and all of them were limited due to small sample sizes [i.e., 15 females and 15 males from Kuwait (Al-Obaidi et al, 2003); 17 males from Tunisia (Dhahbi et al, 2014); nine males and nine females from Qatar (Majed et al, 2020)].…”

Comparison of Gait Speed Reserve, Usual Gait Speed, and Maximum Gait Speed of Adults Aged 50+ in Ireland Using Explainable Machine Learning

“…Common between UGS and MGS models were BMI and number of medications, in the clinically expected directions, i.e., obesity and number of medications had a negative impact on gait speed. As regards obesity, research has suggested that obese adults may select their walking speed to minimize pendular energy transduction, energy cost, and perceived exertion during walking (Fernández-Menéndez et al, 2019). In our UGS and MGS models, a BMI ≥29 kg/m 2 had negative impact association.…”

Comparison of gait speed reserve, usual gait speed, and maximum gait speed of adults aged 50+ in Ireland using explainable machine learning

“…obesity and number of medications had a negative impact on gait speed. As regards obesity, research has suggested that obese adults may select their walking speed to minimize pendular energy transduction, energy cost, and perceived exertion during walking (56). In our UGS and MGS models, a BMI ≥29 kg/m 2 had negative impact association.…”