Determinants of self-selected walking pace across ages 19 to 66

To describe the association between self-selected speeds of walking, and age, maximal aerobic power, and body size, 84 men aged 19 to 66 years were asked to walk at four self-selected paces, from rather slowly to as fast as possible. Speed of walking was measured over a 240-m indoor course. Maximal oxygen uptake was determined on a treadmill. The speed of walking was significantly slower in the oldest (55 to 66 years) compared with the youngest group (19 to 29 years) at the normal fast, and as fast as possible speeds. However, when age, weight, height, and fatness were held constant in a multiple regression model, VO2 max was significantly related to speed of walking at the three fastest walking paces. Age was not significantly related to speed of walking at any pace. Thus, this study indicated that the speed of self-selected walking paces was associated with maximal aerobic power independent of age.