Comparison of Caloric Expenditure in Intermittent and Continuous Walking Bouts

This study compared the caloric expenditure of 30 consecutive minutes (30 minute) of moderate intensity walking with 3 intermittent 10-minute bouts (3 X 10 minutes) of moderate intensity walking in healthy, unfit men (40–49 years). Screening consisted of Vo2max testing, which was measured using the Balke graded exercise test. Criteria for participation in this study included a measured Vo2max less than 33.8 ml-kg-1.min-1 (<25th percentile for cardiorespiratory fitness). Twenty men participated in this study. Testing consisted of 4 trials with a minimum of 5 days between each trial. The 30-minute and 3 X 10-minute bouts were each performed twice to measure test-retest reliability. Once reliability was found, the 2 30-minute and the 2 3 X 10-minute trials were averaged for further data analyses; t-tests showed no significant differences in energy expenditure between 1 continuous 30-minute and the 3 X 10-minute walking bouts at 274 and 279 kcal (p = 0.09), respectively. Thus, 3 X 10-minute intermittent walking bouts throughout the day are equally beneficial, in terms of caloric expenditure, as 1 30-minute continuous walking bout.