Speed and exercise intensity of recreational walkers

Background. Brisk walking has been identified as an activity suited to meet American College of Sport Medicine/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for moderate intensity exercise (55-69% HR_max, 40-59% VO₂R). However, little is known about whether recreational walkers self-select a pace which elicits this intensity and how they interpret the term "brisk walking". Methods. The walking speed of 82 adults was covertly observed in a public park. Fifty-nine of these participants demonstrated their interpretation of "brisk walking" and the speed was noted. Eleven of these subjects subsequently walked on a treadmill at their observed and "brisk walk" speeds. Heart rate (HR), respiratory gases, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Results. Mean observed and "brisk" walking speeds were 1.56±0.17 m·s^-1 and 1.79±0.19 m·s^-1 respectively (P≤0.001). Mean exercise intensities during the treadmill test (n=11) were 59.0±13.4% VO_2max and 67.3±11.6% HR_max for the observed speed (1.60+0.24 m·s^-1). The brisk speed (1.86±0.12 m·s^-1) equated to 68.6±14.9% VO_2max and 78.5±15.5% HR_max. Conclusion. The speed and intensity selected by this group of walkers meets current recommendations for moderate intensity exercise. Instructing individuals to "walk briskly" prompts more vigorous activity.