However, to the best of our knowledge, thus far, no studies have investigated this relationship. Altogether, these results highlight a relationship between the level of obesity and the energetics and mechanics of walking. If we consider obesity as an added mass walking, these data suggest that, in individuals with different classes of obesity, a threshold may occur beyond which the greater NetC w cannot completely be mitigated by a more skillful pendular recovery. This “dissociation” between NetC w and W ext/Recovery may be due to (i) a decrease in muscular efficiency, (ii) an increase in the isometric contractions required to support the load and maintain posture, or (iii) the inadequate/inappropriate muscle strength necessary to carry these loads beyond this amount. However, for loads beyond 30% of their body mass, the results showed an increase in NetC w/kg and a tendency to maintain a constant W ext/kg, even though Recovery remained improved. Indeed, the Luo and Kikuyu women (i.e., ethnic groups of East Africa), who are daily accustomed to carrying loads, could carry loads up to 20% of their body mass with no apparent increase in NetC w/kg and with a decrease in W ext/kg, along with a more skillful Recovery. However, it seems that this profitable mechanism runs up to a functional body mass threshold beyond which the increase in NetC w cannot be completely-or at least partially-be compensated by pendular transduction, as demonstrated by load-carrying studies. The higher NetC w and Recovery in individuals with class III obesity seems to suggest that the obesity level may be involved in the increased NetC w/kg, as well as in pendular exchange optimization.
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