Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 39, Issue 3 386-389, Copyright © 1975 by American Physiological Society
Maximal oxygen uptake during treadmill walking and running at various speeds
B. A. Stamford
Three groups of male subjects, average fitness (AF, N = 12), high fitness
(HF, N = 7) and highly fit competitive race walkers (CRW, N = 3) performed
maximal treadmill tests walking at 3.5 and 4.5 mph and running at 4.5, 5.5,
7.0, and 8.5 mph. In addition, the HF group performed a running test at
10.0 mph and the CRW group performed a walking test at 5.5 mph. All maximal
oxygen uptake (VO2 max) tests with the exception of the 3.5 mph walking
test (modified Balke test) were discontinuous in nature. VO2 max obtained
from walking tests was similar regardless of speed within each group.
Walking VO2 max was significantly lower than running VO2 max which was
found to be similar over a speed range of 4.5 to 8.5 mph in the AF group.
Running at 4.5 mph (HF group) and 4.5 and 5.5 mph (CRW group) resulted in
lower VO2 max levels than running at speeds greater than or equal to 7.0
mph. Associated physiological variables (heart rate, ventilation, and
respiratory exchange ratio) did not demonstrate a discernable pattern with
reference to mode of locomotion (walking versus running) or speed. It was
concluded that VO2 max elicited during walking is independent of speed and
less than VO2 max obtained during running. Running VO2 max was interrelated
with speed of running and state of training.
