The relation of oxygen intake and velocity of walking and running, in competition walkers

Abstract

The O2 intake of 4 Olympic walkers was measured while walking and running at varying velocities on a treadmill at an altitude of 1800 m. The relation between O2 intake and running at speeds between 8 km/hr. and 21 km/hr. was linear. The relation to walking at speeds up to 8 km/hr. followed an upward concave curve. These findings were similar to results obtained at sea level by other investigators. For walking at speeds between 8 km/hr. and 14.5 km/1ir. the relation of O2 intake and velocity was a straight line having a slope twice that of running. Maximum O2 intake in walking averaged 60.0 ml/kg/min. (range 55.8-64.1 ml/kg/min.) compared with 57.4 ml/ kg/min. (range 55.2-60.2 ml/kg/min.) in running. An international class long distance runner serving as a control reached a maximum O2 intake of 70 ml/kg/min.