Comparison of energy expenditure and substrate metabolism during overground and motorized treadmill running in Chinese middle-aged women

The purpose of this study was to compare differences of energy expenditure and substrate metabolism between motorized-treadmill and overground running in three different velocities in Chinese middle-aged women. In total, 74 healthy middle-aged women (age, 48 ± 4 years; height, 159.4 ± 4.9 cm; weight, 58.6 ± 6.7 kg; and body-mass index (BMI), 23.1 ± 2.7 kg/m 2 ) volunteered to participate in this study. Bioelectrical-impedance analysis was used to measure body composition. Energy expenditure, carbohydrates (CHO), and fat oxidation were calculated with indirect calorimetry during motorized-treadmill and overground running. Running speed from slow to fast was 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0 km/h. The duration of each velocity was 6 min, separated by 5–15 min rest. There was no significant difference in energy expenditure between overground and treadmill running at the speed of 7 km/h (8.10 ± 1.25 vs. 7.75 ± 1.13 kcal/min, p > 0.05). Energy expenditure of overground running at 8 and 9 km/h was higher than that of treadmill running (9.36 ± 1.40 vs. 8.54 ± 1.21 kcal/min; 10.33 ± 1.55 vs. 9.54 ± 1.36 kcal/min; both p < 0.01). Fat contribution to energy consumption was significantly higher during treadmill running than during overground running (both p < 0.01) at speeds of 8 and 9 km/h. Overground running at high intensity incurred greater energy consumption than treadmill running did. However, results showed greater fat utilization during treadmill running than during overground running at high intensity. It is critical that these differences are taken into account when we prescribe training modes and intensities for middle-aged women.