Energy cost of running

Indirect calorimetric measurements were made on two athletes running at different speeds up to 22 km/hr at grades from -20 to +15%; the function was found to be linearly related to speed. Within these limits, the net kilocalories per kilogram per kilometer values seem to be independent of speed and related only to the incline. These values are about 5–7% lower than those found in nonathletic subjects, which shows that training in atheletes does not lead to great improvement. A nomogram is given for easily calculating the energy expenditure in running when the speed and the incline are known. The energy cost per kilometer in horizontal run (1 kcal/kg) is about double that for walking at the most economical speed (4 km/ hr).

Submitted on July 31, 1962