Comparison of female in-line skaters and walkers with added weight

This investigation evaluated the heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake (VO₂) responses of eight females in-line skating and walking under three different weighted conditions on a paved asphalt trail. Testing order (walking 1.6km and skating 4.5km) and backpack weight (no backpack, backpack loaded with textbooks weighing 2.72kg, and 5.44kg) were randomly assigned. Across conditions the average velocity for in-line skating was 17.3-18.6kmh^-1 and for walking was 6.1-6.6kmh^-1. Mean HR during in-line skating ranged from 88 to 91% of HR_max, while walking elicited a mean HR that ranged from 69 to 71% of HR_max. In-line skating produced mean VO₂ values that ranged from 54 to 56% of VO_2max, while walking evoked mean VO₂ values that ranged from 46 to 49% of VO_2max. Mean HR response was typically higher for in-line skating compared to walking and for the 5.44kg backpack condition compared to the non-weighted condition for in-line skating only. Significantly higher mean VO₂ responses were found when comparing in-line skating to walking only for the backpack weighted 2.72kg. These findings indicate that in-line skating and walking at moderate speeds, with or without additional weight, will all adequately stimulate the cardiorespiratory system to produce training benefits. Adding weight to a backpack may elicit additional training benefits especially for in-line skating.