When a person increases cycling speed, the rate of calories burned, distance traveled, and energy expended also increase. Which of the following is the independent variable?

In the context of this scenario, the independent variable is the factor that is deliberately altered or controlled to observe its impact on other variables. When a person adjusts their cycling speed, it directly influences the rate of calories burned, distance traveled, and energy expended. Speed is the independent variable because it is manipulated to study its effects on the dependent variables - calories burned, distance traveled, and energy expended. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Speed.'