In general , 100 steps/minute is prescribed for adults to achieve moderate intensity , but older adults may require a higher cadence .
Currently , few studies have explored using walking cadence prescription as an intervention to increase physical activity levels .
Conclusion .
Prescribing walking cadence as a way to increase physical activity levels has potential as a practical and useful strategy , but more evidence is required to assess its ability to increase physical activity levels at moderate intensity
Background .
Most adults choose walking as a leisure activity .
However , many do not reach the international physical activity guidelines for adults , which recommend moderate intensity aerobic activity for at least 150 minutes/week in bouts of 10 minutes .
Purpose .
This systematic review provides an up date on the walking cadence required to reach moderate intensity in adults and older adults , identifies variables associated with reaching moderate intensity , and evaluates how walking cadence intensity should be measured , but the main purpose is to report the interventions that have been attempted to prescribe walking cadence to increase time spent at moderate intensity or other outcomes for adults and older adults .
Pattern changes in step count accumulation and peak cadence due to a physical activity intervention.
OBJECTIVES The purpose was to determine if a 12-week weight loss intervention with a physical activity ( PA ) component would lead to changes in steps/day , step count accumulation patterns , and peak cadence . DESIGN R and omized clinical trial . METHODS Overall , 121 overweight/obese White and African-American adults ( ages 35 - 64yrs ) were r and omized to a diet education plus PA education and behavior change intervention group ( DE+PA ) or diet education and behavior change group ( DE ) . The DE+PA intervention was design ed to increase steps/day , and steps at moderate-to-vigorous intensity . The Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer was used to measure steps accumulated in different cadence b and s ( 1 - 19 , 20 - 39 , 40 - 59 , 60 - 79 , 80 - 99 , 100 - 119 , 120 + steps/min ) , and peak 1-min , 30-min and 60-min cadence . Pre- to post-intervention changes in steps/day , step count within each cadence b and , and peak cadences were compared within groups using paired sample t-test and between groups after adjustment for baseline values of the same variable using ANCOVA . RESULTS Ninety participants had valid data ( 44 in the DE+PA  group ) . Change in steps/day was not significantly different between the groups . However , participants in the DE+PA group accumulated significantly more steps at post-intervention in the 80 - 99 , 100 - 119 , and 120 + cadence b and s , all p<0.02 . The DE+PA group increased step counts accumulated within the 100 - 119 ( 463±1092 vs 56±546 step counts ; p=0.01 ) and 120 + ( 390±999 vs 34±321 step counts ; p=0.03 ) cadence b and s , as well as peak 60-min cadence when compared to the DE group . CONCLUSIONS Non-significant changes in steps/day following a PA intervention may mask changes in steps accumulated at moderate-to-vigorous intensity cadences
In general , 100 steps/minute is prescribed for adults to achieve moderate intensity , but older adults may require a higher cadence .
Currently , few studies have explored using walking cadence prescription as an intervention to increase physical activity levels .
Conclusion .
Prescribing walking cadence as a way to increase physical activity levels has potential as a practical and useful strategy , but more evidence is required to assess its ability to increase physical activity levels at moderate intensity
Background .
Most adults choose walking as a leisure activity .
However , many do not reach the international physical activity guidelines for adults , which recommend moderate intensity aerobic activity for at least 150 minutes/week in bouts of 10 minutes .
Purpose .
This systematic review provides an up date on the walking cadence required to reach moderate intensity in adults and older adults , identifies variables associated with reaching moderate intensity , and evaluates how walking cadence intensity should be measured , but the main purpose is to report the interventions that have been attempted to prescribe walking cadence to increase time spent at moderate intensity or other outcomes for adults and older adults .