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Objectively-measured step cadence and walking patterns in a rural African setting: a cross-sectional analysis
1Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory (EDST), Faculty of Humanities, University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus), University Road, Mankweng-B, 0727, Limpopo Province, South Africa. ian.cook@ul.ac.za.
BMC Research Notes
|May 5, 2022
Summary
Adult women in rural Africa accumulate high daily steps, with under-to-normal weight individuals showing higher peak step cadence. Weight groups differed in step cadence strategies despite similar overall step volume.
Area of Science:
- Physical activity and public health
- Biomedical engineering
- Human movement science
Background:
- Understanding physical activity patterns is crucial for public health interventions, especially in diverse populations.
- Accelerometry provides objective measures of free-living physical activity.
- Weight status can influence biomechanical and habitual movement strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine accelerometry-derived step cadence and walking strategies in adult women in a rural African setting.
- To compare these parameters between Under-to-Normal Weight (UW/NW) and Overweight-to-Obese (OW/OB) groups.
Main Methods:
- 263 adult women (19-56 years) in a rural African setting participated.
- Uni-axial accelerometry data were collected for minute-by-minute analysis.
- Physical activity intensity, step volume, cadence, and bout parameters were extracted and analyzed by weight group.
Main Results:
- Average daily step volume was 13,568 steps, with >85% classified as active-to-highly-active.
- Under-to-Normal Weight (UW/NW) individuals exhibited higher peak step cadence indices (p≤0.0112).
- UW/NW group used more varied step cadences, with higher cadences contributing more to step accumulation (p≤0.05).
Conclusions:
- Despite similar step volumes, weight status influences step cadence and walking strategies in rural African women.
- Higher peak cadences and varied cadence strategies characterize the UW/NW group.
- Findings highlight nuanced differences in physical activity biomechanics related to weight status.
