The energy cost of women walking and running in shoes and boots∗

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in energy cost for women walking and running in shoes versus heavier boots. Seven subjects wore athletic shoes (mean weight = 514 ± 50g) and leather military boots (mean weight = 1371 ± 104g) at three walking speeds (4·0, 5·6 and 7·3km/hour) and two running speeds (8middot;9 and 10·5 km/hour). During each walking and running trial oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O₂ ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) was measured. The [Vdot]O₂ for women wearing boots were significantly higher (P < 0·05) than for shoes for both walking and running, with the exception of the slowest walking speed. The average increment in energy cost was 1·0% per 100-g increase in weight per pair of footwear. These results are similar to those reported for men from other studies which found increments in energy cost of 0·7 to 0·9% per 100-g increase in weight of footwear.