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

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 VO_2max, 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 (AeT_w) and running (AeT_r). Both walk-to-run and run-to-walk PTS significantly correlated to AeT_r (r=0.82 and 0.79; p<0.01) but not to AeT_w (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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