O'Brien MW, Petterson JL, Johns JA, Mekary S, Kimmerly DS. The impact of different step rate threshold methods on physical activity intensity in older adults.
Gait Posture 2022;
94:51-57. [PMID:
35247825 DOI:
10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.02.030]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Older adults benefit most from engaging in higher-intensity physical activity, which is often determined using step rate thresholds. Fixed step rate thresholds that correspond to moderate (MPA) and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) have been developed for heuristic activity promotion. The activPAL monitor uses step rate thresholds to determine activity intensity. Stepping thresholds may also vary based on body mass index (BMI) or aerobic fitness level in older adults. Despite the various thresholds used in the literature, it is unclear whether they produce similar outcomes.
RESEARCH QUESTION
How does time spent in physical activity intensities compare between different step rate thresholds in older adults?
METHODS
Thirty-eight participants (24♀; 67 ± 4 years; BMI: 26.6 ± 4.4 kg/m2) wore an activPAL monitor 24-hr/day for up to 7-d (total: 205-d). Aerobic fitness (V̇O2max: 23 ± 8 ml/kg/min) was determined via indirect calorimetry during a maximal, graded cycling test. Time spent in each intensity category (light-physical-activity [LPA], MPA, VPA) was determined using the fixed (MPA/VPA) 100/130, 110/130, and activPAL step rate thresholds (74/212), as well as BMI-adjusted absolute (108.5 ± 2.5/134.0 ± 4.8) and BMI-adjusted relative (40%/60% V̇O2max; 111.4 ± 14.7/132.0 ± 19.0) cut-offs. Times spent in each intensity category were compared between methods.
RESULTS
The activPAL and 100/130 thresholds yielded less LPA and more MPA than all other methods. The activPAL had no time spent in VPA at all. The BMI-adjusted absolute and relative thresholds produced statistically equivalent time in LPA and MPA (via equivalence testing), but not VPA. No two methods yielded similar time spent in LPA, MPA, or VPA.
SIGNIFICANCE
The choice of step rate threshold has a major impact on physical activity intensity outcomes in older adults. Inherently, strategies that adjust for older adults' body size and/or aerobic fitness level provide a more individualized data processing strategy than fixed thresholds that assume the same threshold for all older adults.
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