title: Cadence, peak vertical acceleration, and peak loading rate during ambulatory activities: implications for activity prescription for bone health.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous research has reported peak vertical acceleration and peak loading rate thresholds beneficial to bone mineral density (BMD). Such thresholds are difficult to translate into meaningful recommendations for physical activity. Cadence (steps/min) is a more readily interpretable measure of ambulatory activity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine relationships between cadence, peak vertical acceleration and peak loading rate during ambulation and identify the cadence associated with previously reported bone-beneficial thresholds for peak vertical acceleration (4.9 g) and peak loading rate (43 BW/s).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten participants completed 8 trials each of: slow walking, brisk walking, slow running, and fast running. Acceleration data were captured using a GT3×+ accelerometer worn at the hip. Peak loading rate was collected via a force plate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Strong relationships were identified between cadence and peak vertical acceleration (r = .96, P < .05) and peak loading rate (r = .98, P < .05). Regression analyses indicated cadences of 157 ± 12 steps/min (2.6 ± 0.2 steps/s) and 122 ± 10 steps/min (2.0 ± 0.2 steps/s) corresponded with the 4.9 g peak vertical acceleration and 43 BW/s peak loading rate thresholds, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cadences ≥ 2.0 to 2.6 steps/s equate to acceleration and loading rate thresholds related to bone health. Further research is needed to investigate whether the frequency of daily occurrences of this cadence is associated with BMD.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Alex V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Rowlands
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Schuna
authors.forename: Victoria H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Stiles
authors.forename: Catrine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tudor-Locke
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012420:Running; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult