The energy cost of using the BODY BAT® Aerobic Exerciser during walking

Research Design: Each subject came the ASU Human Performance Laboratory for two test sessions. In the first test session, subjects filled out a medical/health questionnaire, and were tested for body composition (skinfolds, and bioelectrical impedance), and maximal aerobic fitness (VO2max and maximal heart rate from a graded treadmill test using the MedGraphics metabolic chart).

During the second test session, subjects reported to the laboratory not having ingested food for 3-4 hours. Subjects sat for 10-15 minutes, and then had their resting metabolic rate and heart rate measured for 10 minutes. This was immediately followed by 5 minutes of sitting exercises with the BODY BAT (at a rate of 60 swings per minute to shoulder height) during which metabolic and heart rate measures were taken. Next, the subjects walked at 2.5 mph on the treadmill with (5 minutes) or without (5 minutes) the BODY BAT, with the order randomized between subjects and counterbalanced. The swing rate equaled the step rate, and was self-selected by the subjects. The BODY BAT® was lifted to shoulder height with each swing. This was repeated with subjects walking at 3 mph.

Results :

Table 1 summarizes subject characteristics for the 30 women. Maximal aerobic power was fair to average for women of this age. All subjects achieved a respiratory exchange ratio of 1.1 or higher, indicating a maximal effort during the pre-study graded treadmill tests. Table 2 and Figures 1, 2, and 3 compare metabolic measurements during 10 minutes of seated rest and sitting while swinging the BODY BAT at a rate of 60 swings per minute. Energy expenditure increased an average of 1.32±0.09 kcal.min-1 or 120% when using the BODY BAT in the seated position. Mean heart rate increased 34%, oxygen consumption 116%, and ventilation 109% when using the BODY BAT during sitting. Table 3 and Figures 1, 2, and 3 compare metabolic measurements during walking at 2.5 mph with or without use of the BODY BAT. Energy expenditure increased an average of 1.45±0.11 kcal.min-1 or 43%, and heart rate increased 20%, oxygen consumption 42%, and ventilation 45% when using the BODY BAT during walking at 2.5 mph. Table 4 and Figures 1, 2, and 3 compare metabolic measurements during walking at 3 mph with or without use of the BODY BAT. Energy expenditure increased an average of 1.32±0.16 kcal.min-1 or 33%, and heart rate increased 18%, oxygen consumption 32%, and ventilation 38% when using the BODY BAT during walking at 3 mph.

Conclusions :

Use of the BODY BAT in the seated position more than doubles the rate of oxygen consumption and energy expenditure when compared to seated rest. When walking 2.5-3 mph, use of the BODY BAT increases the heart rate by about 20 beats per minute, and adds 1.32-1.45 kcal.min-1, a 33-43% increase. In comparison, use of 3-pound hand/wrist weights increases the heart rate by 7-13 beats per minute, and adds about 1 kcal.min-1.

Table 1: Subject characteristics (n=30).	Mean±SE	Range
Age (yr)	37.9±2.4	20-69
Stature (m)	1.65±0.01	1.50-1.81
Body mass (kg)	64.1±1.4	51.4-79.5
Body fat (%)	31.5±1.0	19-41.3
VO2max (ml.kg-1.min-1)	32.7±1.1	21.8-45.9
Maximal heart rate (beats.min-1)	182±2	147-205
Maximal ventilation (l.min-1)	84.7±2.8	60.0-117.0
Maximal respiratory exchange ratio	1.28±0.01	1.10-1.40
Maximal respiratory rate (breaths.min-1)	43.8±1.0	33.0-57.0

Table 2 Metabolic measurements during sitting: 10 minute rest compared to use of BODY BAT® at a rate of 60 swings per minute.
	10-min rest	Sitting with BODY BAT®	P-value
VO2 (ml.min-1)	226±6	488±19	<0.001
Energy expenditure (kcal.min-1)	1.10±0.03	2.42±0.10	<0.001
Heart rate (beats.min-1)	75±2	101±2	<0.001
Ventilation (l.min-1)	8.0±0.4	16.8±0.7	<0.001
Respiratory exchange ratio	0.90±0.02	0.94±0.02	0.062
Respiratory rate (breaths.min-1)	14.5±0.6	22.1±0.8	<0.001
Rating of perceived exertion	6.0±0	9.63±0.30	<0.001

Table 3 Metabolic measurements during walking at 2.5 mph (4.03 kph) with or without use of the BODY BAT®. The swing rate equaled the step rate, and was self-selected by the subjects. The BODY BAT® was lifted to shoulder height with each swing.
	Walking without BODY BAT®	Walking with BODY BAT®	P-value
VO2 (ml.min-1)	686±19	971±30	<0.001
Energy expenditure (kcal.min-1)	3.35±0.09	4.80±0.15	<0.001
Heart rate (beats.min-1)	103±2	124±3	<0.001
Ventilation (l.min-1)	20.3±0.6	29.5±1.2	<0.001
Respiratory exchange ratio	0.87±0.01	0.92±0.01	<0.001
Respiratory rate (breaths.min-1)	23.9±1.0	31.3±2.3	0.002
Rating of perceived exertion	9.4±0.3	10.9±0.3	<0.001

Table 4 Metabolic measurements during walking at 3.0 mph (4.83 kph) with or without use of the BODY BAT®. The swing rate equaled the step rate, and was self-selected by the subjects. The BODY BAT® was lifted to shoulder height with each swing.
	Walking without BODY BAT®	Walking with BODY BAT®	P-value
VO2 (ml.min-1)	805±25	1062±39	<0.001
Energy expenditure (kcal.min-1)	3.96±0.12	5.29±0.20	<0.001
Heart rate (beats.min-1)	113±3	133±3	<0.001
Ventilation (l.min-1)	24.1±0.8	33.2±1.4	<0.001
Respiratory exchange ratio	0.91±0.01	0.95±0.02	0.003
Respiratory rate (breaths.min-1)	25.8±0.9	30.9±1.2	<0.001
Rating of perceived exertion	10.5±0.3	11.9±0.3	<0.001

More Research information.