Walking cadence (steps/min) and intensity in 21–40 year olds: CADENCE-adults

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious studies have reported that walking cadence (steps/min) is associated with absolutely-defined intensity (metabolic equivalents; METs), such that cadence-based thresholds could serve as reasonable proxy values for ambulatory intensities.PurposeTo establish definitive heuristic (i.e., evidence-based, practical, rounded) thresholds linking cadence with absolutely-defined moderate (3 METs) and vigorous (6 METs) intensity.MethodsIn this laboratory-based cross-sectional study, 76 healthy adults (10 men and 10 women representing each 5-year age-group category between 21 and 40 years, BMI = 24.8 ± 3.4 kg/m2) performed a series of 5-min treadmill bouts separated by 2-min rests. Bouts began at 0.5 mph and increased in 0.5 mph increments until participants: 1) chose to run, 2) achieved 75% of their predicted maximum heart rate, or 3) reported a Borg rating of perceived exertion > 13. Cadence was hand-tallied, and intensity (METs) was measured using a portable indirect calorimeter. Optimal cadence thresholds for moderate and vigorous ambulatory intensities were identified using a segmented regression model with random coefficients, as well as Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) models. Positive predictive values (PPV) of candidate heuristic thresholds were assessed to determine final heuristic values.ResultsOptimal cadence thresholds for 3 METs and 6 METs were 102 and 129 steps/min, respectively, using the regression model, and 96 and 120 steps/min, respectively, using ROC models. Heuristic values were set at 100 steps/min (PPV of 91.4%), and 130 steps/min (PPV of 70.7%), respectively.ConclusionsCadence thresholds of 100 and 130 steps/min can serve as reasonable heuristic thresholds representative of absolutely-defined moderate and vigorous ambulatory intensity, respectively, in 21–40 year olds. These values represent useful proxy values for recommending and modulating the intensity of ambulatory behavior and/or as measurement thresholds for processing accelerometer data.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov (NCT02650258).Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12966-019-0769-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Evaluating the effectiveness of goal setting and textual feedback for increasing moderate‐intensity physical activity in adults

“…Adam averaged a rate of 87.6 steps/min during baseline and 115.2 steps/min during intervention. During goal setting, he achieved his weekly goal on 17 out of 19 weeks (89%) and exceeded an average of 100 steps/min, the threshold for moderate‐intensity physical activity (Tudor‐Locke et al, ) on 17 out of 19 weeks (89%). Mary increased her average weekly intense steps from 532 steps in baseline to 10,619 steps in goal setting, with an average of 16,386 steps/week in the last 3 weeks.…”

“…Participants collectively achieved their goals on 37 of 58 opportunities (64%). Furthermore, the rate of walking during the goal setting phase exceeded 100 steps/min for three out of four participants, and for Zeke, it was 95 steps/min, suggesting that the majority of physical activity was at or very near moderate‐intensity levels (Tudor‐Locke et al, ). One participant, Adam, achieved and increased his weekly goal for 17 out of 19 opportunities during the goal‐setting phase, with one of the misses being within 35 steps of the goal.…”

“…The average rate of walking for three of the participants exceeded 100 steps/min, with the fourth participant averaging 95 steps/min. This suggests that the steps counted as intense steps were generally above the moderate‐intensity threshold (Tudor‐Locke et al, ). A number of other studies have just focused on steps with no measure of intensity (e.g., Normand, ; Valbuena et al, ).…”

“…It is recommended that an adult engage in at least 150 to 300 min of physical activity per week that is of a moderate intensity or at least 75 to 150 min of vigorous‐intensity physical activity (USDHSS, ). When considering walking or running as the form of physical activity, a rate of walking above 100 steps/min is a practical threshold for moderate‐intensity physical activity and above 130 steps/min for vigorous‐intensity physical activity (Tudor‐Locke et al, ). Unfortunately, more than 60% of adults in the United States do not regularly engage in physical activity, and 25% of adults report that they are not active at all (USDHSS, ).…”

Recognition of Gait Activities Using Acceleration Data from A Smartphone and A Wearable Device

“…The high local maxima or peaks P are extracted using w as sample-rate. The value of w is related to the cadence of people, and a value of 200 frames was manually selected because the optimal cadence of young people, between 21-40 years, is 48 and 60 steps/min [24]. In Figure 3c the peaks related to strides in the acc FD signal are shown.…”