{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.05714285714285714, 'fraction_numerical': 0.03440233236151603, 'mean_word_length': 4.777777777777778, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Mass-normalized internal mechanical work in walking is not impaired in adults with class III obesity.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the obesity on the internal mechanical work, and its influence on the total mechanical work, energy cost, mechanical efficiency in obese and non-obese adults while walking at different speeds. Body composition and anthropometrical characteristics were obtained for eleven obese (O; 39.9±7.9 yr; BMI: 43.0±4.2 kg.m-2) and thirteen lean adults (L; 29.6±5.7 yr; BMI: 22.0±1.5 kg.m-2). Participants walked at five speeds (0.56, 0.83, 1.11, 1.39, 1.67 m·s-1) while oxygen consumption was measured to obtain net energy cost of walking (NCw). A motion analysis system and instrumented treadmill were combined to obtain external (Wext), internal (Wint) and total (Wtot) mechanical work, and pendular energy recovery. Mechanical efficiency was calculated as the ratio of Wtot to NCw. Relative NCw (per unit body mass) was significantly higher in O than L (P≤0.001). Relative Wext was significantly lower in O compared to L (P=0.002), whereas no significant difference was found in relative Wint (P=0.16) and Wtot (P=0.6). Recovery was significantly higher (P≤0.001), while mechanical efficiency was significantly lower in O than in L (P≤0.001). These results suggest that individuals with obesity class III have similar mass-normalized Wint and Wtot compared to their lean counterparts, along with a higher relative NCw. Consequently, the efficiency of walking was reduced in this population. These results suggest that mass-normalized Wint is unaffected by the obesity and is not responsible for the higher relative NCw and lower efficiency of walking in these individuals.