The relationship between walking speed and energy cost forms what type of curve?

The relationship between walking speed and energy cost forms what type of curve?

• A. Straight descending line
• B. Circle
• C. U-shaped curve
• D. Flat line

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is how energy cost per unit distance changes as walking speed changes. When you plot energy cost per distance against speed, you get a U-shaped curve. At very slow speeds, you waste energy per meter because movement is inefficient and you don’t exploit the body’s economical mechanics. As you move to a moderate, comfortable speed, energy cost per distance drops to a minimum because the gait uses pendulum-like mechanics and muscle work more efficiently. If you speed up beyond that optimal pace, the energy required per meter rises again due to greater muscular effort, faster limb movements, and other inefficiencies. This creates the characteristic U shape, with a lowest point at the speed people naturally choose to minimize energy cost per distance.

The idea being tested is how energy cost per unit distance changes as walking speed changes. When you plot energy cost per distance against speed, you get a U-shaped curve. At very slow speeds, you waste energy per meter because movement is inefficient and you don’t exploit the body’s economical mechanics. As you move to a moderate, comfortable speed, energy cost per distance drops to a minimum because the gait uses pendulum-like mechanics and muscle work more efficiently. If you speed up beyond that optimal pace, the energy required per meter rises again due to greater muscular effort, faster limb movements, and other inefficiencies. This creates the characteristic U shape, with a lowest point at the speed people naturally choose to minimize energy cost per distance.