Comparison of energy expenditures -- Running and swimming

Abstract

Male (n=10) and female (n=9) volunteers, currently using both swimming and running as part of their exercise programs, performed 3 submax run and 3 submax free swim tests at varying speeds. The Ss performed all treadmill tests and all swim tests on separate days. The same data collection procedures were used for both modes of testing. A 1-min. gas sample was taken in which the VO2 value was used to represent the oxygen cost for each test. Caloric expenditures were derived directly from the VO2 and RQ values of the gas sample. A 1-way ANOVA with repeated measures was the statistical tool employed for both the running and swimming tests for both men and women. Both the men's and women's groups for both modes of tests showed consistent increases in VO2 as speed increased. Sig (P<0.01) increases in EE were found between the slow and fast and mid and fast swim speeds with no sig (P>0.05) diff in EE noted among the running speeds for the women. The men showed a sig (P<0.05) diff in EE between the slow and fast swim speeds and sig (P<0.01) increases in EE between the slow and mid and slow and fast running speeds. For comparative run and swim speed levels, both the men and women expended more energy during swimming for a given distance than for running that same distance. Since similar EE were calculated for various distances and lengths of time, at the same run and swim speed levels, it is possible to equate the amount of work accomplished when swimming to that accomplished when running.