ENERGY-EXPENDITURE DURING SUBMAXIMAL WALKING WITH EXERSTRIDERS(R)

This study was designed to determine whether Exerstriding, a modified form of walking using walking sticks (Exerstriders(R)), resulted in an augmented cardiorespiratory response and a greater energy expenditure than when walking without Exerstriders(R). Female subjects (23.6 +/- 4.0 yr; 58.5 +/- 5.5 kg) completed two randomly assigned trials of treadmill walking (6.7 km . h(-1); 0% grade; 30 min.) with (Exerstrider (R) (E)) and without Exerstriders(R) (Control (C)). Mean oxygen consumption (E = 20.5 +/- 1.2 ml . min(-1). kg(-1) C = 18.3 +/- 2.5 ml . min-1 . kg(-1)), heart rate (E = 132.5 +/- 19.2 beats . min(-1); C = 121.5 +/- 21.2 beats . min(-1)) and respiratory exchange ratio (E =.82 +/- .03; C = .78 +/- .04) were significantly greater (P less than or equal to 0.05) while walking with Exerstriders(R). Total caloric expenditure was also significantly greater during the Exerstrider(R) condition (E = 173.7 +/- 20.9 kcal; C = 140.7 +/- 27.2 kcal.). In contrast, the rating of perceived exertion did not differ significantly between the two conditions. These data suggest that Exerstriding provides a means to increase caloric expenditure during submaximal walking, a factor that may be of critical importance in enhancing health benefits-such as improved body composition and aerobic capacity-typically associated with walking programs.