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Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2466-4808
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Reevaluating the energy cost in locomotion: quadrupedal vs. bipedal walking in humans

Rui Xu‡
1   Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
2   Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
1   Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
,
Riqiang Bao‡
2   Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
3   National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
1   Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
,
Yixiang Hu
2   Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
3   National Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
,
Chong Gao
1   Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
2   Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
,
Yuhan Guo
1   Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
2   Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
,
Yashu Zhu
2   Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
4   Shanghai Digital Medicine Innovation Center, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
,
Yuanyuan Hu
1   Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
2   Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
,
Guang Ning
1   Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
2   Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
2   Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
,
Weiqing Wang
1   Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
2   Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
2   Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
,
Shijia Pan
2   Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
4   Shanghai Digital Medicine Innovation Center, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
2   Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai National Center for Translational Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN66281)
› Author AffiliationsSupported by: National Key Research and Development Program of China 2021YFC2501600,2021YFC2501603
Supported by: Innovative Research Team of High-level Local University in Shanghai 91857205

Clinical Trial: Registration number (trial ID): ChiCTR2300069947, Trial registry: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org/), Type of Study: Interventional study
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Abstract

This study examines the energy expenditure and physiological responses associated with short-term quadrupedal locomotion compared to bipedal walking in humans. It aims to support evolutionary theory and explore quadrupedal locomotionʼs potential for enhancing fitness and health. In a randomized crossover design, 12 participants performed quadrupedal and bipedal walking on a treadmill at identical speeds. Physiological responses, including energy expenditure, carbohydrate oxidation rates, respiratory rate, and heart rate, were measured during both forms of locomotion. Quadrupedal walking significantly increased total energy expenditure by 4.15 Kcal/min [95% CI, 3.11 – 5.19 Kcal/min], due to a rise in carbohydrate oxidation of 1.70 g/min [95% CI, 1.02 – 2.24 g/min]. It also increased respiratory and heart rates, indicating higher metabolic demands. The exercise mainly activated upper limb muscles and the gluteus maximus in the lower limbs. Ten minutes of quadrupedal walking at the same speed as bipedal walking resulted in a 254.48% increase in energy consumption. This simple form of locomotion offers a strategy for enhancing physical activity, and supports the idea that energy optimization influenced the evolution of efficient bipedal locomotion.

Keywords

energy expenditure - evolution - quadrupedalism - exercise physiology


Publication History

Received: 13 June 2024

Accepted after revision: 12 November 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
12 November 2024

Article published online:
14 January 2025

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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