The equation accurately predicts calories burned by walking: Study

The equation developed by scientists SMU, which was recently described in the Journal of Applied Physiology, is about four times more accurate.

NEW YORK: A new equation developed by scientists can more accurately predict energy expenditure walking, replacing the main standard equations used by nearly half a century that is based on the assumption that one size fits all.

"Our new equation is formulated to be applied regardless of height, weight and speed of the walker. It is significantly more accurate," said Lindsay Ludlow, a researcher at the Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas.

The equation developed by scientists SMU, which was recently described in the Journal of Applied Physiology, is about four times more accurate for adults and children together, and two to three times more accurate only for adults, Ludlow said.

"The economy level walking is much like sending packages - there is an economy of scale," said Peter Weyand, a coauthor of the study. "Great people will improve fuel consumption, when fuel economy is expressed on a per-pound" he added.

Research occurs at a time greater combined with mobile, portable sensors such as precision technology increasingly used in real time to monitor the health of the body.

Researchers have noted that some devices use the old standard equations, while others use a different method to calculate the calories burned.