Effect of Walking Step Cadence Variation on Energy Expenditure and Perceived Effort

Authors

Erik Arias, Texas A&M-San AntonioFollow
Kassandra Barrera, Texas A&M University-San AntonioFollow
John Smith, Texas A&M University-San AntonioFollow

Abstract

This study was conducted to understand more clearly how changes in walking cadence affect physiological effectiveness and perceived exertion ratings.  PURPOSE: to explore how altering walking cadence—by either increasing or decreasing step frequency by 10%—affects physiological responses and perceived exertion during treadmill walking at a fixed speed. METHODS: Participants (n=20, age=23.2±4.2 yrs, ht=66.0±4.1 in, wt=179.8±42.8 lbs) walked on a treadmill at preferred speed for 10 min while interfaced with an oxygen (VO₂) analyzer and heart rate (HR) monitor. Cadence (preferred, PC) was measured with a hand tally counter. After 10 min, rating of perceived exertion (RPE, 6-20) was measured and 10% lower (LC) as well as higher cadence (HC) was calculated. Participants then performed LC and HC in a randomized order in the same manner as PC. Participants rested approximately 5 minutes between trials. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to identify differences in each variable between conditions and Bonferroni was used for pairwise comparisons, with Alpha set at .05. RESULTS: Oxygen consumption was significantly higher in LC (11.3±2.5 ml/kg/min, p=0.001, d=0.75) and HC (11.4±2.5 ml/kg/min, p=0.002, d=1.06) compared to PC (10.4±2.2 ml/kg/min). There was no significant difference in HR between any of the conditions, p=0.150. Rating of perceived exertion was significantly higher in LC (9.7±2.3, p=0.004, d=1.79) and HC (10.4±2.2, p=0.001, d=1.94) compared to PC (8.2±2.1). CONCLUSION: While changes in cadence only elicited an increase in VO₂ of about 1.0 ml/kg/min, this was still significant with a close to large effect size. Participants in this study had a cadence close to 100 s/m, which has been suggested to be moderate intensity (Slaght, et al. 2017). These changes in VO₂, therefore, with changes in cadence may very well elicit greater caloric expenditure at the same walking speeds. It must be noted, however, that that this sample was not walking at moderate intensity (2.86 METs) and therefore one may question that 100 s/m is a criteria for moderate intensity.

Recommended Citation

Arias, Erik; Barrera, Kassandra; and Smith, John (2026) "Effect of Walking Step Cadence Variation on Energy Expenditure and Perceived Effort," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2: Iss. 18, Article 173.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/173