walking short bursts energy consumption study

Walking in Short Bursts Increases Energy Consumption by 20% to 60%: Study Insights

Introduction

Researchers at the University of Milan, specializing in pathophysiology, found that intermittent stair climbing or walking results in 20% to 60% more energy consumption compared to performing these activities continuously over the same distance. Their study, appearing in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, involved monitoring oxygen intake as volunteers walked on treadmills or climbed stairs.

Research Observations

Metabolic Steady State

• The research team observed that existing energy expenditure data typically reflects activities conducted at a metabolically steady state, which occurs only after sustained effort.
• They questioned whether energy expenditure might differ if individuals engaged in stop-and-start exercises multiple times.

Study Methodology

To explore this, they recruited 10 volunteers.

Volunteers participated in activities that included:

• Walking on a treadmill or
• Climbing a short flight of stairs

The duration of these activities varied from 10 seconds to four minutes.

They wore masks to monitor oxygen intake, which served as a method for measuring energy expenditure.

Key Findings

Increased Energy Expenditure

The researchers observed that volunteers expended more energy when they performed multiple start-and-stop activities, compared to maintaining a continuous, steady pace over the same distance.

Explanation of Energy Use

• The researchers attribute this to the body expending more energy in the initial stages of gearing up for activity and establishing a steady rhythm.
• Similar to how a car uses more fuel when accelerating from a standstill.

Experimental Results

Further experiments demonstrated that breaking exercise into multiple short bouts, as opposed to one prolonged session, led to energy consumption increases ranging from 20% to 60%.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The research group recommends engaging in multiple short bouts of exercise for better results, as opposed to sustaining a steady pace over longer durations.

Source

Stay Updated

Don't miss out! Subscribe to our WhatsApp channel and receive real-time updates on the latest science news from FSNews365.

synthetic-plants-air-purification-electricity

Scientists Develop Synthetic Plants Capable of Purifying Indoor Air and Producing Electricity

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality

The average American spends about 90% of their life indoors, and the air quality in these environments, such as homes, schools, or workplaces, directly affects their health and wellness.

However, the majority of air purification systems are costly, bulky, and require regular maintenance or filter replacement to maintain peak performance.

Groundbreaking Research by Binghamton University

Binghamton University's Professor Seokheun 'Sean' Choi and Ph.D. researchers Maryam Rezaie are transforming their studies on bacteria-powered biobatteries-both ingestible and conventional-into a groundbreaking idea for artificial plants capable of absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, and generating small amounts of electricity.

Publication of Research Findings

The researchers have published a paper outlining their results in the journal Advanced Sustainable Systems.

Insights on Indoor Air Pollution

"After experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of indoor air quality is clearer than ever," said Choi, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science.

"Numerous sources, such as building materials and carpets, can emit highly toxic substances. As we inhale and exhale, carbon dioxide accumulates. Additionally, risks arise from cooking and outdoor infiltration."

Development of the Artificial Plant

Choi and Rezaie initially created an artificial leaf 'for fun' using five biological solar cells and photosynthetic bacteria, but soon realized the broader potential of the concept. They built the first plant with five leaves and tested its ability to capture carbon dioxide and generate oxygen.

Power Generation Capabilities

While generating about 140 micro-watts power is a secondary benefit, Choi aims to enhance the technology to achieve a minimum output exceeding 1 milliwatt. He also intends to incorporate an energy storage system, such as lithium-ion batteries or super-capacitors.

Practical Applications and Future Enhancements

"I hope to use this electricity for practical applications like charging mobile phones,," he said.

Future enhancements may involve employing multiple species of bacteria to ensure long-term sustainability and creating systems to reduce maintenance needs, including water and nutrient delivery mechanisms.

The Future of Artificial Plants

"With a bit of refinement, these artificial plants could be integrated into every household," Choi states. "The advantages of this concept are readily apparent."

Source

Stay Informed on the Latest Innovations!

Are you Interested in groundbreaking research and Technologies that can improve indoor air quality and enhance sustainability? Don't miss out! Subscribe [LinkdIn]to our newsletter for regular updates on new discoveries, innovative solution, and expert insights into the future of environmental health. Join our community today and be part of the movement toward a cleaner, healthier world!