Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 9 hrs ago
Activity during development helped guinea fowl use less energy walking
A Penn State-led study found that activity during development affected how efficiently guinea fowl moved as adults.
Researchers followed 12 young birds, giving six a small weight on one leg while they grew.
At 16 weeks, birds raised with weights walked with an added load without using more energy.
Birds that grew up without weights needed 23% more energy to walk with the same load.
The experiment involved birds, so whether the effect also applies to people remains uncertain.
The researchers say the results raise the possibility that activity in childhood could make movement easier in adulthood, which may help people stay active.
A study led by Penn State researchers found that activity during development helped guinea fowl use less energy while walking as adults.
Birds that grew up carrying small weights walked with an added load without using additional energy.
Birds raised without weights used 23% more energy when the same load was attached.
The researchers followed 12 guinea fowl from two weeks of age until they were 16 weeks old.
The findings suggest early activity may affect movement efficiency, but the experiment was conducted in birds.
- Who
- Researchers led by Penn State professor Jonas Rubenson studied 12 guinea fowl.
- What
- The study found that birds raised carrying weights used less energy walking with an added load as adults.
- When
- The study was published on October 14, 2026. The birds were followed from two to 16 weeks of age.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Researchers wanted to test whether carrying extra weight during development would change how efficiently the birds moved when mature.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The researchers began following the 12 guinea fowl.
Six birds wore a lead band on one leg weighing 4% of their body weight, while the other six developed without added weight.
The researchers began training the birds to walk on a treadmill.
The birds were approaching full adult size, and the researchers assessed their walking energy use.
ScienceDaily published an account of the study.
- Study lead
- Penn State researchers
- Sample size
- 12 guinea fowl
- Weight on each band
- 4% of a bird's body weight
- Age at start of treadmill training
- 9 weeks
- Age at study endpoint
- 16 weeks
- Energy difference with added load
- Birds raised without weights used 23% more energy
What people are saying
This study showed how limb loading -- the application of mechanical stress on arms or legs, typically through weights or exercise -- during development can help an animal save energy during movement throughout its lifespan.
This is one of the first studies to indicate that animals' behaviors and environments in youth can affect how effortful moving is as adults.
Overall, children in the U.S. today are much less active than previous generations.