True cadence and step accumulation are not equivalent : the effect of intermittent claudication on free-living cadence

Stansfield, B; Clarke, CL; Dall, PM; Godwin, R; Holdsworth, RJ; Granat, MH

Abstract

‘True cadence’ is the rate of stepping during the period of stepping. ‘Step accumulation’ is the steps
within an epoch of time (e.g. 1 min). These terms have been used interchangeably in the literature. These
outcomes are compared within a population with intermittent claudication (IC). Multiday, 24 h stepping
activity of those with IC (30) and controls (30) was measured objectively using the activPAL physical
activity monitor. ‘True cadence’ and ‘step accumulation’ outcomes were calculated. Those with IC took
fewer steps/d 6531 ± 2712 than controls 8692 ± 2945 (P = 0.003). However, these steps were taken within
approximately the same number of minute epochs (IC 301 ± 100 min/d; controls 300 ± 70 min/d, P = 0.894)
with only slightly lower true cadence (IC 69 (IQ 66,72) steps/min; controls 72 (IQ 68,76) steps/min, P = 0.026),
giving substantially lower step accumulation (IC 22 (IQ 19,24) steps/min; controls 30 (IQ 23,34) steps/min)
(P < 0.001). However, the true cadence of stepping within the blocks of the 1, 5, 20, 30 and 60 min with the
maximum number of steps accumulated was lower for those with IC than controls (P < 0.05). Those with IC
took 1300 steps fewer per day above a true cadence of 90 steps/min. True cadence and step accumulation
outcomes were radically different for the outcomes examined. ‘True cadence’ and ‘step accumulation’ were
not equivalent in those with IC or controls. The measurement of true cadence in the population of people with
IC provides information about their stepping rate during the time they are stepping. True cadence should be
used to correctly describe the rate of stepping as performed.

Citation

Stansfield, B., Clarke, C., Dall, P., Godwin, R., Holdsworth, R., & Granat, M. (2015). True cadence and step accumulation are not equivalent : the effect of intermittent claudication on free-living cadence. Gait & Posture, 41(2), 414-419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.11.002

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 7, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Nov 15, 2014
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jul 7, 2015
• Journal: Gait & Posture
• Print ISSN: 0966-6362
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-2219
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 414-419
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.11.002
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.11.002
• Related Public URLs: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09666362
• Additional Information: Funders : Glasgow Caledonian University