Effects of Chronic Physical Exercise on Metabolic Cost of Walking in Human Subjects
A systematic review analyzed data from 1177 participants, finding that chronic physical exercise training significantly improved the metabolic cost of walking (Cw) in healthy adults (g = 0.49, p = 0.001). In contrast, patients with stroke experienced no significant improvement in Cw (g = 0.24, p = 0.065). Additionally, higher mean body mass index (BMI) was linked to smaller intervention effects on Cw (β = -0.20, p = 0.040).
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not yet assessed
- Mechanism
- Not yet assessed
- Evidence strength
- Not yet assessed
- Outcome
- Not yet assessed
Why it matters
This research indicates that chronic exercise can benefit metabolic functions in healthy individuals, but may not be as effective for those with stroke. Understanding these different responses can inform future rehabilitation strategies.
What this does not prove
The study was limited by a small number of studies involving specific patient populations (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke), and the meta-regression may have lacked power to fully detect significant associations. Additionally, there was moderate heterogeneity and risk of bias present in the included studies.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Systematic review
- Participants / samples
- 1177 · total participants across included studies
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-14
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
Original sources
- Primary evidenceEffects of Exercise Training on the Metabolic Cost of Walking in Health and Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. ↗DOI: 10.1007/s40279-026-02553-x
Supporting passages (10)
study designSystematic review and robust variance estimation meta-analysis with meta-regression following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
subjectsA total of 27 studies with 36 intervention arms and 54 outcomes in 1177 participants, of those 703 healthy adults and 474 patients with multiple sclerosis (1 study), Parkinson's disease (1 study), and stroke (9 studies) were included.
sample sizeRESULTS: A total of 27 studies with 36 intervention arms and 54 outcomes in 1177 participants, of those 703 healthy adults and 474 patients with multiple sclerosis (1 study), Parkinson's disease (1 study), and stroke (9 studies) were included.
sample size basisRESULTS: A total of 27 studies with 36 intervention arms and 54 outcomes in 1177 participants, of those 703 healthy adults and 474 patients with multiple sclerosis (1 study), Parkinson's disease (1 study), and stroke (9 studies) were included.
primary endpointBACKGROUND: The metabolic cost of walking (Cw) increases with heathy aging and in neurological conditions.
findingsChronic physical exercise training improves Cw in healthy adults, with smaller effects observed in individuals with stroke.
findingsImprovements were significant in healthy individuals (g = 0.49, p = 0.001) but not in patients with stroke (g = 0.24, p = 0.065).
findingsIn the adjusted meta-regression, higher study-level mean body mass index (BMI) was associated with smaller intervention effects on Cw (β = - 0.20, p = 0.040).
limitationsTraining type, duration, intensity, frequency, and session duration did not significantly moderate the training effects on Cw, although the meta-regression may have been underpowered to detect such associations.
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-14
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