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Int J Sports Med 2009; 30(11): 795-801
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1237711
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Relationship Between Gait Transition Speed and the Aerobic Thresholds for Walking and Running

D. Sentija1 , G. Markovic2
  • 1Department of Kinesiological Anthropology and Methodology, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Croatia
  • 2Department of Kinesiology of Sport, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Croatia
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Publikationsdatum:
16. Oktober 2009 (online)

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Abstract

We studied the relationship between the speed at the gas exchange thresholds for walking and running and the preferred gait transition speed (PTS), and the correspondence of PTS and energetically optimal transition speed (EOTS). Twenty-two men (age: 21.4±2.4 years, mass: 78.1±8.2 kg) performed four tests during which we determined VO2max, walking/running gas exchange thresholds, walk-to-run/run-to-walk PTS, and EOTS. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between PTS, and the speed at the aerobic threshold for walking (AeTw) and running (AeTr). Both walk-to-run and run-to-walk PTS significantly correlated to AeTr (r=0.82 and 0.79; p<0.01) but not to AeTw (r=−0.03 and 0.06; p>0.05). Finally, EOTS and the corresponding VO2 were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the speed and VO2 at PTS. Our results indicate that running rather than walking dynamics determines gait transitions in men.

Key words

walking - running - locomotion - pulmonary gas exchange

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Correspondence

Dr. G. Markovic

Department of Kinesiology of Sport

Faculty of Kinesiology

University of Zagreb

Horvacanski zavoj 15

10000 Zagreb

Croatia

Telefon: +385/1/365 86 06

Fax: +385/1/363 41 46

eMail: gmarkov@kif.hr