AUTHOR=Schantz Peter , Olsson Karin Sofia Elisabeth , Salier Eriksson Jane , Rosdahl Hans 

TITLE=Perspectives on exercise intensity, volume, step characteristics and health outcomes in walking for transport

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.911863

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.911863

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Background. Quantification of movement intensity and energy utilization, together with frequency of trips, duration, distance, step counts and cadence, is essential for interpreting the character of habitual walking commuting, and its potential support of health. The purpose of the study is to illuminate this with valid methods and novel perspectives, and to thereby provide a new basis for characterizing and interpreting walking in relation to health outcomes.

Methods. Habitual middle-aged commuting pedestrians (males=10, females=10) were investigated in the laboratory at rest and with maximal treadmill and cycle ergometer tests. Thereafter, levels of oxygen uptake, energy expenditure, ventilation, heart rate, blood lactate, rated perceived exertion, cadence, number of steps, cadence, duration, distance, and speed were recorded during the normal walking commute of each participant in Greater Stockholm, Sweden. The number of commutes per week over the year was self-reported. 

Results. Trabsport walking demanded 30% more energy as compared to level treadmill walking. For both sexes, the walking intensity was about 46% of the maximal oxygen uptake, and the energy expenditure amounted to 0.96 kcal · kg bw¯¹ · km¯¹. The MET-values (males: 6.2; females: 6.5) mirrored similar levels of walking speed (males: 5.7; females: 5.9 km · h¯¹) and levels of oxygen uptake (males: 18.6; females: 19.5 ml · kg bw¯¹ · min¯¹). The average number of MET-hours per week in a typical month was 22 for males and 20 for females. This resulted in a total weekly energy expenditure of approximately 1570 and 1040 kcal for males and females, respectively. Over the year, the number of walking commutes and their accumulated distance was approximately 385 trips and 800 km for both sexes. 

Conclusion Walking in naturalistic field settings demands its own studies. When males and females walk to work, their relative aerobic intensities and absolute energy demands for a given distance are similar. It represents the lower part of the moderate relative intensity domain. The combination of oxygen uptake, trip duration and frequency leads to high and sustained levels of MET-hours as well as energy expenditure per week over the year, with a clear health enhancing potential.