Step-rate recommendations for moderate-intensity walking in overweight/obese and healthy weight children.
BACKGROUND
Physical activity guidelines for youth and adults include recommendations for moderate intensity activity to attain health benefits. Indirect calorimetry studies have consistently reported a 100 step·min(-1) threshold for moderate intensity walking in adults. No indirect calorimetry studies have investigated step-rate thresholds in children and therefore the primary purpose of the study was to determine preliminary step-rate thresholds for moderate physical activity walking in children.


METHODS
Oxygen consumption was measured at rest and used to determine 3 and 4 age-adjusted metabolic equivalents (A-AMETs) for 4 treadmill trials (self-selected, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 MPH). Two trained observers simultaneously counted children's steps during each walking trial. Step-rate thresholds associated with moderate-intensity activity, defined as 3 and 4 A-AMETs, were determined using hierarchical linear modeling.


RESULTS
Regression analysis determined an overall step rate of 112 and 134 steps·min(-1) for 3 and 4 A-AMETs respectively. Body mass index (BMI) weight status and age were positively related to A-AMETs.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest age and BMI weight status specific recommendations that range from a low of 100 step·min(-1) threshold (3 A-AMETs) for overweight/obese 11- to 12-year-olds to a high of 140 step·min(-1) threshold (4 A-AMETs) for healthy weight 9- to 10-year-old children.
Dept of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI.
Charles F
CF
Morgan
Allison R
AR
Tsuchida
Michael William
MW
Beets
Ronald K
RK
Hetzler
Christopher D
CD
Stickley
D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055686:Metabolic Equivalent; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*