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Increased strength and decreased flexibility are related to reduced oxygen cost of walking

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Abstract

Purpose was determine effects resistance training/weight loss induced changes in muscular strength and flexibility have on net walking oxygen uptake (netVO2). Sixty-seven premenopausal women lost 12 kg. Before weight loss subjects were assigned to diet (WL) or diet/3 days per week resistance training (WLRT). Resting energy expenditure, oxygen uptake while walking at 4.84 km h−1 on the flat and up 2.5% grade, isometric knee extension strength, and flexibility of the knee extensors and plantar flexors were measured. Strength increased in WLRT (+36 N) but not in WL (−24 N). NetVO2 decreased significantly while flat walking (7.3%) and 2.5% grade walking (5.7%) in WLRT, but not in WL. Delta strength was negatively while delta knee extensor and plantar flexor flexibility were positively related to delta netVO2. Decreases in walking and grade netVO2 were independently and positively related to increased knee extension strength and decreased knee extensor and plantar flexor flexibility.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Betty Darnell, and Robert Petri for their invaluable assistance. Grants: Supported by NIH grants R01 DK 49779 and R01 DK 51684, DRR General Clinical Research Center grant M01 RR-00032 from the National Center for Research Resources, and Clinical Nutrition Research Unit grant P30-DK 56336, Stouffer’s Lean Cuisine entrees, Nestle Food Co, Solon, OH and Weight Watchers Smart Ones HJ Heinz Foods, Pittsburgh, PA kindly provided food for dietary control. The authors of this study had no financial arrangement or affiliation with any product or services used or discussed in this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Studies, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Room 205 Education Building, 901 13th st south, Birmingham, AL, 25294-1250, USA

    Gary R. Hunter

  2. Department of Nutrition Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Gary R. Hunter, David R. Bryan & Paul A. Zuckerman

  3. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    John P. McCarthy

  4. Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Marcas M. Bamman

  5. School of Movement Studies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Nuala M. Byrne

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  1. Gary R. Hunter
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  2. John P. McCarthy
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  3. David R. Bryan
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  4. Paul A. Zuckerman
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  5. Marcas M. Bamman
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  6. Nuala M. Byrne
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Correspondence to Gary R. Hunter.

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Hunter, G.R., McCarthy, J.P., Bryan, D.R. et al. Increased strength and decreased flexibility are related to reduced oxygen cost of walking. Eur J Appl Physiol 104, 895–901 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0846-z

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