Comparison of community ambulation intensity determined from overground and treadmill walking cadence cut points: Is there a relationship between step activity measures and predicted VO2 max in healthy children and adults?

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of using maximal cadence criteria cut points established during overground and treadmill walking, on intensity outputs measured during community ambulation. The second aim was to establish the relationship between cardiovascular fitness (predicted VO2 max capacity) and community ambulation intensity performance, in typically developing individuals. What is the effect on intensity measures when using cadence cut point criteria derived from overground and treadmill walking and does predicted VO2 max correlate with exercise related community activity in a typically developing population? A group of 37 typically developing participants between 8 and 27 years of age, underwent a graded submaximal VO2 testing protocol followed by a typical week of community ambulation, recorded with a step activity monitor. Maximum cadence criteria established during overground and treadmill walking were applied and the data were compared. The weekly step activity variables included: total steps, total ambulatory time, intensity, duration, and volume. Predicted VO2 Max was calculated, and correlations calculated to step activity outputs. Results showed significant differences (p0.277). This study illustrates the importance of close consideration in applying recommended cut off criteria when assessing intensity outputs from step activity data. Cadence from both overground and treadmill walking were collected in a controlled lab setting, but the influence of the treadmill mechanical and forced cadence criteria must be considered when selecting intensity cut points. •Step intensity is affected when using treadmill and overground max cadence criteria.•Maximum cadence determined in a lab setting may not correlate to community walking.•Exercise related community ambulation data do not correlate to predicted VO2 max.