Walking is the most common exercise, and many walkers like to count how many calories are burned. Scientists have come up with a new equation which can accurately predict calories burned by walking. While previous standardized equations used till now were entirely based on assumptions, the new equation is more accurate i.e., about four times accurate for children and adults together and two to three times accurate for adults alone. The new equation is also among the first to apply regardless of the weight, height and speed of the walker.

“Our new equation is formulated to apply regardless of the height, weight and speed of the walker. It’s appreciably more accurate,” said Lindsay Ludlow, a researcher at the Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas.

The research comes at a time when greater accuracy combined with mobile technology, such as wearable sensors, is increasingly being used in real time to monitor the body’s status. Researchers say that many devices use the old standardized equations but believe that they will definitely start using the new one once it becomes more prominent.

The SMU equation predicts the calories burned as a person walks on a firm, level surface. Ongoing research is expanding the algorithm to predict the calories burned while walking up- and downhill, and while carrying loads, Ludlow said.

SMU scientists report the new equation in the Journal of Applied Physiology, “Energy expenditure during level human walking: seeking a simple and accurate predictive solution.” The article is published in the March 1, 2016 issue.