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Fig. 3. Energy recovery and mass-specific mechanical work per unit distance as a
function of walking speed in different age groups. The pendular recovery of
mechanical energy defined by equation
1 (R; circles) and by
equation 2
(Rc; crosses) and the external work
(Wext) are presented in the two upper rows. The internal
work done by one leg against the other (Wint,dc) is
presented in the third row. The kinetic internal work
(Wint,k; fourth row) is measured, allowing energy transfer
between the segments of the same limbs but not between limbs. The internal
work (Wint; fifth row) is measured, allowing energy
transfer between Wint,dc and Wint,k
(see Materials and methods). The bottom row shows the total work
(Wtot=Wext+Wint).
The broken lines represent the weighted mean of the adult data (other
indications are as in Fig. 2).
Note that above 
1 m s–1, Wext,
Wint and Wtot are greater in children
than in adults; these differences are greater the younger the subject and tend
to disappear after the age of 10.
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