Outdoor walking speeds of apparently healthy adults: A systematic review and meta‑analysis

Background Walking outdoors can be used by many individuals to meet public health guidelines for moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. The speed at which adults walk may be a proxy for intensity. Traditional estimates of indoor walking speed are unlikely to reflect self-selected usual or other instructed paces of outdoor walking speed. Objective To inform estimates of pace-based walking speed of apparently healthy adults in outdoor settings. Methods We searched four electronic databases for articles published in English between January 1970 and March 2019. Studies that reported walking speed (m/s), cadence (steps/min), or intensity(mL/kg/min) of ambulatory, apparently healthy, and community-dwelling adults (> 18 years) were included. Walking speed categories were defined according to the description provided in each study. Meta-analysis was used to synthesise speed, cadence, and intensity data by slow, usual, medium, fast, and maximal pace (where reported). Results Thirty-five studies, representing 14,015 participants (6808 women, 5135 men, and 2072 sex not specified), were identified. The mean (95% CI) walking speed for slow, usual, medium, fast, and maximal pace was 0.82 (0.77–0.86), 1.31 (1.27–1.35), 1.47 (1.44–1.49), 1.72 (1.64–1.81), and 1.62 (1.45–1.79) m/s, respectively. Mean cadence (95% CI) for usual and fast paces were 116.65 (114.95–118.35) and 126.75 (121.87–131.63) steps/min, respectively. The mean oxygen consumption (95% CI) for the usual and medium paces was 11.97 (11.69–12.25) and 13.34 (12.94–13.73) mL/kg/min, respectively. Conclusion These findings provide greater clarity with regard to how various indicators of enacted walking pace, speed, and intensity overlap and how each can be best communicated in the real-world setting to optimise health-related outcomes. Pace-based instructions can be used to support walking in outdoor settings within public health guidelines

The influence of role models on the sedentary behaviour patterns of primary school-aged children and associations with psychosocial aspects of health

Background: High levels of sedentary behaviour(SB)are associated with poor health outcomes in children,but the effects on mental health are less clear.This study explored the relationship between SB and psychosocial aspects of health in children, and what influence key role models, including parents and schoolteachers, have on the SB levels of children. Methods: Physical activity (PA) and SB were measured using accelerometery in 101 children, 113 parents and 9 teachers. Children were aged 9 or 10 years old and in fourth grade. Child psychosocial outcomes were assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Results: Children engaged in a high volume of SB (9.6 h/day) but interrupted SB often. They accumulated less than 11,000 steps per day, and thus, many may not meet the recommended daily levels of PA. No associations were found between child SB and teacher SB during the school day or child SB and parent SB during the after-school period. No association was found between SB and self-esteem, although children with a higher body mass index had a higher number of emotional and behavioural difficulties. SB was linked to that of parents and teachers, or that SB was associated with self-esteem or behavioural problems, school children were highly sedentary and insufficiently physically active. Therefore, there is a need to explore school practices and curriculum delivery methods,as well as school and home environments,to reduce the volume of SB children engage in