Johns JA, Frayne RJ, Goreham JA, Kimmerly DS, O'Brien MW. The Bout Cadence Method Improves the Quantification of Stepping Cadence In Free-Living Conditions.
Gait Posture 2020;
79:96-101. [PMID:
32387810 DOI:
10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.04.014]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Existing analytical approaches used to measure free-living stepping cadence (steps per minute; spm) characterize stepping two-ways: 1) 60 s epochs without considering time spent stepping during the epoch (step accumulation; SA), or 2) a bout-based analysis that considers both number of steps and time spent stepping during stepping bouts (total event cadence; TEC). SA and TEC may incorrectly characterize cadence in epochs that do not consist of continuous stepping or if there are marked changes in cadence within a stepping bout, respectively.
RESEARCH QUESTION
How does a bout-based analytical method that examines each stepping bout individually and considers within-bout changes in stepping cadence during epochs ≥120 s (Bout Cadence; BC) compare to SA and TEC?
METHODS
ActivPAL™-derived data from 122 participants were analyzed (790 total days). SA and TEC were calculated according to previous literature. BC calculated cadence bout-by-bout and stride-by-stride for bouts lasting <120 s and ≥120 s, respectively. Time spent stepping between 0-140 spm (divided into 20 spm bins) or >140 spm were determined for each method. Time spent in slow (0-80 spm), medium (80-120 spm) and fast (>120 spm) cadences for each method were compared via Bland-Altman analyses.
RESULTS
Almost half (43 %) of the total number of 60 s epochs included ≥2 stepping bouts, and 37 % of total stepping time was accumulated in continuous stepping bouts ≥120 s. Compared to TEC, BC identified more daily time spent in the 20-40 spm and >120 spm cadence bins, but less time spent in the 60-120 spm range. Both SA (fixed bias: -11.0 ± 12.4 min/day) and TEC (fixed bias: -10.0 ± 13.6 min/day) underestimated faster stepping cadences compared to BC.
SIGNIFICANCE
Existing analytical approaches largely underestimate faster stepping cadences, resulting in inaccurate measurements of vigorous-intensity stepping activity. The BC better characterizes higher intensity stepping activity, which could have important implications for assessing participants' true habitual stepping activity levels.
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