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

Abstract

Background: Previous 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.

Purpose: To establish definitive heuristic (i.e., evidence-based, practical, rounded) thresholds linking cadence with absolutely-defined moderate (3 METs) and vigorous (6 METs) intensity.

Methods: In 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.

Results: Optimal 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.

Conclusions: Cadence 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 registration: Clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT02650258 ).

Keywords: Accelerometer; Exercise; Pedometer; Physical activity.

Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study protocol was approved by the University of Massachusetts Amherst Institutional Review Board. Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to enrolment and data collection.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. The results of the present study do not constitute endorsement by the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. The results of the study are presented clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation.

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Figures

Fig. 1

Relationship between cadence and METs using a segmented regression model. Red line is the mean METs value at each corresponding cadence value, and black lines are the 95% Prediction Intervals. Blue horizontal dotted lines represent moderate (3 METs) and vigorous intensity (6 METs), respectively

Fig. 2

Classification accuracy of heuristic cadence thresholds and MET intensities. a 100 steps/min and 3 METs, b) 130 steps/min and 6 METs). The figure inserts display the values for true positives, false positives, true negatives and false negatives that were used to determine classification accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values)