Physiological and Perception Responses Comparison During Treadmill Walking at Self-Selected Pace Between Genders

The aim of this study was to compare physiological and perception responses between genders during treadmill walking at self-selected pace. 17 men and 17 women aged 23.32 +/- 3.06 yr were investigated: (I) anthropometric assessment and incremental exhaustion test, (II) a 20-minute walking bout on treadmill at their self-selected pace. The independent t test was utilized to verify any gender differences, with a level of p < 0.05. The self-selected walking pace was significantly greater in men than women (1.65 +/- 0.18 and 1.50 +/- 0.12 m.sec(-1), respectively), and consequently resulted in higher absolute VO2 for men compared to women (21.2 +/- 5.5 and 18.3 +/- 2.7, respectively). However, both genders self-selected a similar relative exercise intensity %VO2max (37.5 +/- 10.7 and 40.3 +/- 7.2 for men and women, respectively). The subjective perceived exertion (SPE) did not differ between genders (10.2 +/- 1.0 and 9.8 +/- 1.2 for men and women, respectively). The results of the present study demonstrated that regardless of gender, physically active young adults self-selected a similar relative exercise intensity that reflected in similar SPE. Furthermore, gait at self-selected intensity was insufficient to improve cardiorespiratory fitness in this sample.