Age-Related Differences in Perceived Exertion While Walking and Running Near the Preferred Transition Speed
in Pediatric Exercise SciencePurpose: To investigate whether youth and adults can perceive differences in exertion between walking and running at speeds near the preferred transition speed (PTS) and if there are age-related differences in these perceptions. Methods: A total of 49 youth (10–12 y, n = 21; 13–14 y, n = 10; 15–17 y, n = 18) and 13 adults (19–29 y) completed a walk-to-run transition protocol to determine PTS and peak oxygen uptake. The participants walked and ran on a treadmill at 5 speeds (PTS–0.28 m·s−1, PTS–0.14 m·s−1, PTS, PTS+0.14 m·s−1, PTS+0.28 m·s−1) and rated perceived exertion using the OMNI Perceived Exertion (OMNI-RPE) scale. Oxygen consumption was measured during the walk-to-run transition protocol to obtain the relative intensity (percentage of peak oxygen uptake) at PTS. OMNI-RPE scores at all speeds and percentage of peak oxygen uptake at PTS were compared between age groups. Results: The 10- to 12-year-olds transitioned at a higher percentage of peak oxygen uptake than adults (64.54 [10.18] vs 52.22 [11.40], respectively; P = .035). The 10- to 14-year-olds generally reported higher OMNI-RPE scores than the 15- to 17-year-olds and adults (P < .050). In addition, the 10- to 14-year-olds failed to distinguish differences in OMNI-RPE between walking and running at PTS and PTS+0.14 m·s−1. Conclusions: Children aged 10–14 years are less able to distinguish whether walking or running requires less effort at speeds near the PTS compared with adults. The inability to judge which gait mode is less demanding could hinder the ability to minimize locomotive demands.
Kung and Shultz are with the School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand. Kung is also with the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand. Fink is with the School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Legg is with the Centre for Ergonomics and Occupational Health and Safety, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Ali is with the School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand. Shultz is also with the Department of Kinesiology, Seattle University, Seattle, WA, USA.
Supplementary Materials
- Supplementary Table 1 (PDF 480 KB)
© 2020 Human Kinetics