Caloric cost of running during workouts of moderate and high intensities in men and women

This study determined the differences in caloric expenditure between moderate and high intensity workouts with respect to gender. Five males and five females volunteered to be subjects for the treadmill testing. The procedures for each subject consisted of: (1) an accommodation period to become familiar with the equipment and protocols; (2) a maximal oxygen uptake test; (3) a moderate continuous two mile workout; and (4) a high intermittent two mile workout. The moderate and high intensity workout speeds were calculated to correspond to 60 and 90% of max VO₂. Expired gas samples were taken during a five minute baseline walk, the two mile workout, and a 12 minute recovery walk. Caloric cost for the two mile workout and recovery was calculated using oxygen uptake (L/min) and the caloric equivalent for one liter (based on R value). The high intensity intermittent workout required a significantly greater number of calories than the moderate intensity continuous workout for both males and females (p < .001). The males expended a significantly (p < .001) greater total calories although there were no significant differences found in the caloric cost/kg between males and females. Within the limits of the study, it is concluded that high intensity running has higher caloric cost when expressed both in the total calories and kcal/kg than moderate intensity running. Therefore, a person running at a high intensity would lose weight at a greater rate than running at a moderate intensity, assuming all other weight control variables are held constant.