Physiological responses of healthy adults to walking with a powerbelt

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to provide descriptive data on the physiological responses to walking at a self-selected pace with and without a Powerbelt. In random order, ten male (age = 22 + 0.9 yr, ht = 178 4 5.8 cm, wt = 77 + 1 1.1 kg) and ten female (age = 24 If: 6.0 yr, ht = 168 f 6.1 cm, wt = 64 + 10.5 kg) volunteers walked at a self-selected pace for 30 minutes unaided, with the Powerbelt base unit, and with the Powerbelt plus Power Pakl. Variables measured were oxygen consumption (V02) using open circuit spirometry, heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (WE). When compared to unaided walking, the results showed walking with the Powerbelt base unit yielded significantly higher V@ (1 5.6 f 2.25 vs 19.3 + 2.20 ml. kg-'. min-'), HR (1 01 + 8.2 vs 117 -L 13.9 bpm), and WE (1 17 4 13.9 vs 10 4 1.4) responses. Walking with the Powerbelt plus Power Pak 1 yielded significantly higher VQ (20.8 -t 2.38 ml- kg-'. min-'), HR (125 f 16.0 bpm), and RPE (12 k 1.1) responses when compared to both unaided walking and walking with the Powerbelt base unit, The average caloric expenditure walking unaided was 5.4 + 1.22 kcallmin, walking with the Powerbelt was 6.7 4 1.43 kcallmin, and walking with Power Pak 1 was 7.2 4 1.41 kcallmin. The results of this study indicate that walking with a Powerbelt with only the base unit or with Power Pak 1 provides an increased intensity over unaided walking, which may result in additional improvements during walking exercise.