The Impact of Moderate Intensities of Intermittent Interval Walking on Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption

Curtis Fennell^1, , Robert L. Herron¹, Shawn M. Mitchell¹, Stacy H. Bishop¹, Emily L. Langford¹ and Jermaine B. Mitchell¹

¹University of Montevallo Department of Health and Human Sciences 75 College Drive Montevallo, AL 35205 United States of America

Cite this paper:
Curtis Fennell, Robert L. Herron, Shawn M. Mitchell, Stacy H. Bishop, Emily L. Langford and Jermaine B. Mitchell. The Impact of Moderate Intensities of Intermittent Interval Walking on Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption. Journal of Physical Activity Research. 2023; 8(2):65-72. doi: 10.12691/jpar-8-2-2

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of continuous and intermittent walking on oxygen uptake (V̇O₂), Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), and enjoyment during exercise, and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and enjoyment after exercise. Methods: Four women and six men (mean ± SD) aged 24 ± 5 years completed four walking bouts in counterbalanced order matched for volume (90 metabolic equivalent [MET]-min): 1) one, 30-min continuous walking (CW) bout at moderate-intensity (3 METs; ≈4.8 km/h), 2) three, 10-min intermittent walking bouts (IW) at moderate-intensity (3 METs; ≈4.8 km/h) separated by 20 min of rest, 3) three, 8-min interval walking (IIW1) bouts at moderate-intensity (5 METs; ≈6.4 km/h: 3 METs; ≈4.8 km/h) separated by 20 min of rest, and 4) three, 8-min 40-s interval walking (IIW2) bouts at moderate-intensity (5 METs; ≈6.4 km/h: 3 METs; ≈4.8 km/h separated by 20 min of rest. VO₂ was measured during exercise and EPOC was measured for 20 minutes post exercise. RPE was assessed during exercise and enjoyment of exercise was assessed during- and post exercise. Results: Average accumulated O2 uptake during exercise and EPOC in IW (39,186 ± 4,290 mL; EPOC: 2,582 ± 339 mL), IIW1 (36,964 ± 3,789 mL; EPOC: 3,365 ± 507 mL), and IIW2 (35,804 ± 3,979 mL; EPOC: 3,083 ± 339 mL) were higher (all p < 0.05) than CW (24,500 ± 2,427 mL; EPOC: 892 ± 73 mL). There were no differences in average RPE (p = 0.17) or average enjoyment (all p ≤ 0.05) across time points or between conditions. Conclusion: In healthy, young adults, moderate-intensity intermittent walking and intermittent interval walking protocols resulted in higher energy expenditure during and after exercise – as reflected by accumulated VO₂ uptake and EPOC, respectively – compared to moderate-intensity continuous walking matched by MET-min with no difference in enjoyment or RPE.

Keywords:
oxygen consumption metabolism aerobic exercise intermittent exercise walking

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