Why Do Treadmill Calorie Counters Vary with Speed?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the discrepancy in calorie counts provided by treadmill calorie counters when walking the same distance at different speeds. Despite the mechanical work done being the same for one mile, the body expends additional energy due to increased heart rate, breathing frequency, and body temperature regulation at higher speeds. This additional energy expenditure is not captured by simple mechanical work calculations, leading to the variation in calorie counts. Understanding the distinction between mechanical work and the body's chemical work is crucial for accurate calorie tracking.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts related to work and energy
  • Knowledge of human physiology, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory responses to exercise
  • Familiarity with treadmill mechanics and calorie calculation algorithms
  • Awareness of metabolic equivalents (METs) and their role in exercise energy expenditure
NEXT STEPS
  • Research how treadmill calorie counters calculate energy expenditure
  • Explore the concept of metabolic equivalents (METs) in exercise
  • Learn about the physiological effects of exercise intensity on calorie burn
  • Investigate different types of exercise equipment and their calorie tracking accuracy
USEFUL FOR

Fitness enthusiasts, personal trainers, exercise physiologists, and anyone interested in understanding the accuracy of treadmill calorie counters and the physiological aspects of energy expenditure during exercise.

pushkarvaidya
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I have a very basic question related to energy here.
We all know that calorie is a measure of energy.
Also Energy spent = work done (ignore efficiency)

When you walk 1 mile on a treadmill you are doing some amount of work. Based on the above equation you are using up some amount of energy. This energy is measured in calories.
Now suppose you walk the same distance, but in half the time, you are still doing the same amount of work (of walking 1 mile) so you are using the same amount of energy. The only difference is that you are doing it at a faster rate.

Why does the calorie counter on a treadmill give dramatically different values in both of the above cases.
Is the work done in both cases not the same? Should the calories burned not be the same?.

Please help me resolve this question.
 
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Mechanical work is not the same as the chemical work your body has to do. While you are still going the same distance, think of how many more times during that mile that you breathe and your heart beats. Think of how much warmer your body becomes. All of that is the extra work you are not accounting for by simply looking at the mechanical work.
 

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