BACKGROUND: Pedometer-based recommendations for accumulating steps/d largely focus on volume, with less emphasis on intensity and fitness/health outcomes. We aim to examine this relationship. METHODS: A convenience sample (N = 70, 35 men, 32 ± 8yrs) wore a pedometer (4 days). The pedometer classified steps as "aerobic" (≥ 60 steps/minute, minimum duration of 1 minute) or "non-aerobic" (< 60 steps/minute and/or < 1 minute). Estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), derived from a 12-minute submaximal step-test, and health outcomes: blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), percentage body fat (%BF), and waist circumference (WC) were correlated with pedometer data. Participants were grouped according to number and intensity of steps: LOW (< 5000 steps/d), HIGH-LOW (≥ 5000 steps/d, no aerobic steps), HIGH-HIGH (≥ 5000 steps/d, including some aerobic steps). Analyses of covariance, adjusting for age, gender, and total steps/d were used to compare groups. RESULTS: Average steps/d was 6520 ± 2306. Total steps/d and total time spent accumulating "aerobic" steps (minutes/day) were inversely associated with %BF, BMI, WC, and systolic BP (P < .05). After adjusting for gender and total steps/d, %BF was different between all 3 groups, VO2max was different between the LOW and HIGH-HIGH groups, WC was lower in the HIGH-HIGH versus the other 2 groups (P < .03, respectively). CONCLUSION: Intensity seems an important factor to consider in steps/d cut-points.
BACKGROUND: Pedometer-based recommendations for accumulating steps/d largely focus on volume, with less emphasis on intensity and fitness/health outcomes. We aim to examine this relationship. METHODS: A convenience sample (N = 70, 35 men, 32 ± 8yrs) wore a pedometer (4 days). The pedometer classified steps as "aerobic" (≥ 60 steps/minute, minimum duration of 1 minute) or "non-aerobic" (< 60 steps/minute and/or < 1 minute). Estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), derived from a 12-minute submaximal step-test, and health outcomes: blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), percentage body fat (%BF), and waist circumference (WC) were correlated with pedometer data. Participants were grouped according to number and intensity of steps: LOW (< 5000 steps/d), HIGH-LOW (≥ 5000 steps/d, no aerobic steps), HIGH-HIGH (≥ 5000 steps/d, including some aerobic steps). Analyses of covariance, adjusting for age, gender, and total steps/d were used to compare groups. RESULTS: Average steps/d was 6520 ± 2306. Total steps/d and total time spent accumulating "aerobic" steps (minutes/day) were inversely associated with %BF, BMI, WC, and systolic BP (P < .05). After adjusting for gender and total steps/d, %BF was different between all 3 groups, VO2max was different between the LOW and HIGH-HIGH groups, WC was lower in the HIGH-HIGH versus the other 2 groups (P < .03, respectively). CONCLUSION: Intensity seems an important factor to consider in steps/d cut-points.
Authors: Michael M Hammond; Yuankai Zhang; Chathurangi H Pathiravasan; Honghuang Lin; Mayank Sardana; Ludovic Trinquart; Emelia J Benjamin; Belinda Borrelli; Emily S Manders; Kelsey Fusco; Jelena Kornej; Nicole L Spartano; Vik Kheterpal; Christopher Nowak; David D McManus; Chunyu Liu; Joanne M Murabito Journal: JMIR Cardio Date: 2022-04-27
Authors: Julian D Pillay; Hidde P van der Ploeg; Tracy L Kolbe-Alexander; Karin I Proper; Maartje van Stralen; Simone A Tomaz; Willem van Mechelen; Estelle V Lambert Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2015-02-22 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Xiaolin Yang; Janne Kulmala; Harto Hakonen; Mirja Hirvensalo; Suvi P Rovio; Katja Pahkala; Tuomas Kukko; Nina Hutri-Kähönen; Olli T Raitakari; Tuija H Tammelin Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc Date: 2021-08-01
Authors: Julian D Pillay; Tracy L Kolbe-Alexander; Karin I Proper; Willem van Mechelen; Estelle V Lambert Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-10-17 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Natasha Reid; Robin M Daly; Elisabeth A H Winkler; Paul A Gardiner; Elizabeth G Eakin; Neville Owen; David W Dunstan; Genevieve N Healy Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-04-13 Impact factor: 3.240