Self-regulation of walking Cadence using a WeArable device To Cross-validate and calibrate intensity Heuristics: The Cadence-WATCH study

Required Availability
Spring 2023 | Summer 2023 | Fall 2023
Course Credit?
No
Paid Position?
No
Description

Background: U.S. physical activity guidelines recommend that adults accumulate ≥ 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity. However, it is difficult for individuals to ascertain their own intensity without the aid of complex (and often very expensive) exercise equipment/technologies that require requisite knowledge for interpretation of intensity metrics commonly examined under laboratory research conditions. Purpose: The proposed grant study will evaluate the ability of adults (18-80 years of age) to self-regulate their walking cadence (i.e., number of steps per minute) using a fitness watch to prescribed cadence targets in order to elicit a moderate-to-vigorous walking intensity. Method: A sex- and age balance sample (N = 260; 10 men and 10 women per 5-year age-group) of older adults will visit the Exercise Physiology Lab and complete a series of four x 5-min walking trials during which they will self-monitor and regulate their walking cadence to prescribed targets (100, 110, 120, 130 steps/min) which were previously found to be associated with moderate-to-vigorous intensity. Walking cadence will be measured using an electronic gait mat, and intensity will be measured using a portable indirect calorimeter and heart rate monitor. Accuracy of self-regulation will be determined by calculating Mean Absolute Percent Error (cadence target – enacted cadence). Achievement of moderate-to-vigorous intensity will be evaluated using classification accuracy metrics (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy) for each of the 4 prescribed cadence targets. Significance: The proposed study is the first to evaluate the use of a fitness watch to self-regulate walking cadence and intensity. The study’s results may have important implications for the way in which older adults work towards achieving physical activity guidelines.

Special Directions

Please upload a CV/Resume and brief statement (250 words) of why you believe you would be a good fit for this position.

Special Skills

R programming (data wrangling and statistical analyses)


Contact Phone #
205-348-1143
Contact Email
ejaguiar@ua.edu
Research Website
https://ejaguiar.people.ua.edu/

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