Antropomotoryka nr 57 [2012]. - Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego ...

Václav BuncIntroductionPhysical activity oriented towards promoting activelifestyle can improve the health state and predispositionsfor working and leisure time activities in subjects.Unfortunately, despite these potential health benefits,the majority of current population does not exerciseregularly [1].Among the people, who do exercise, walking is themost popular physical activity. Being a weight-bearingform of aerobic exercise that can be easily integratedinto one’s daily routine, it is frequently recommended asa good protection against health problems, low workingand leisure capacity [2].Major advantage of walking over running is lowerfrequency of injuries and lesser probability of exceedingthe security level in examined patients. The strain onligaments and joints caused by walking is significantlylower than for comparable running exercises. In thewalking group it is very important that the participantsare able to communicate during the exercise, what cancontribute to their wellness. Walking differs from a runninggait in a number of ways. The most obvious differenceis that in walking one leg always stays on theground while the other is swinging. There is a typicallyballistic phase in running, during which the runner isairborne with both feet in the air (for bipedals) [3–5].The course of energy cost coefficient c is presentedin Figure 1. In the range of intensities lower than 7 km . h –1the dependence of the coefficient c on the speed ofwalking has a minimum value at a ground speed about4 km . h –1 , increasing exponentially at speeds slower, andat speed greater than 7 km . h –1 the coefficient of walkingenergy cost grows practically linearly with the increaseof moving speed. In the same Figure 1 the coefficientc for running is presented. In the range from 4 to 12km . h –1 this coefficient is practically constant [3].Human walking is accomplished with a strategycalled t h e double pendulum . During forwardmotion the leg that leaves the ground swings forwardFigure 1. Dependence of walking and running energy cost coefficient c in dependence on speed of movement– 64 –