Walking cadence required to elicit criterion moderate-intensity physical activity is moderated by fitness status

Abt, Grant; Bray, James; Myers, Tony; Benson, Amanda C.

Abstract

The aims of this study were to estimate the walking cadence required to elicit a VO2reserve (VO2R) of 40% and determine if fitness status moderates the relationship between walking cadence and %VO2R. Twenty participants (10 male, mean(s) age 32(10) years; VO2max 45(10) mL·kg−1·min−1) completed resting and maximal oxygen consumption tests prior to 7 x 5-min bouts of treadmill walking at increasing speed while wearing an Apple Watch and measuring oxygen consumption continuously. The 7 x 5-min exercise bouts were performed at speeds between 3 and 6 km·h−1 with 5-min seated rest following each bout. Walking cadence measured at each treadmill speed was recorded using the Apple Watch “Activity” app. Using Bayesian regression, we predict that participants need a walking cadence of 138 to 140 steps·min−1 to achieve a VO2R of 40%. However, these values are moderated by fitness status such that those with lower fitness can achieve 40% VO2R at a slower walking cadence. The results suggest that those with moderate fitness need to walk at ~40% higher than the currently recommended walking cadence (100 steps·min−1) to elicit moderate-intensity physical activity. However, walking cadence required to achieve moderate-intensity physical activity is moderated by fitness status.

Citation

Abt, G., Bray, J., Myers, T., & Benson, A. C. (2019). Walking cadence required to elicit criterion moderate-intensity physical activity is moderated by fitness status. Journal of sports sciences, 37(17), 1989-1995. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2019.1612505

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 23, 2019
• Online Publication Date: May 7, 2019
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Deposit Date: Apr 23, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: May 8, 2020
• Journal: Journal of Sports Sciences
• Print ISSN: 0264-0414
• Electronic ISSN: 1466-447X
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 37
• Issue: 17
• Pages: 1989-1995
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2019.1612505
• Keywords: Wearable electronic devices; Exercise; Oxygen consumption; Walking; Bayes theorem
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1638461
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02640414.2019.1612505
• Related Public URLs: https://newman.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/17255/
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=rjsp20; Accepted: 2019-04-23; Published: 2019-05-07