Reduction in ambulatory distance from childhood through adolescence: The impact of the number and length of steps. - Chaire-réseau de recherche sur la jeunesse du Québec

Notice bibliographique

Josaphat, K., Guimarães, R., Reid, R., Henderson, M., Barnett, T. et Mathieu, M. (2020). Reduction in ambulatory distance from childhood through adolescence: The impact of the number and length of steps. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 19(1), 66-70.

Résumé

Background : The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between ambulatory distance with steps/day and increased step length as children age.

Methods : This is a prospective cohort study. Forty-five children from the QUALITY cohort were assessed at childhood (baseline) and seven years later during adolescence (follow-up). Daily step count was evaluated by accelerometry, step length by a standardized test, and daily ambulatory distance was calculated based on step count and length.

Results : Children grew by an average of 0.33 m from childhood to adolescence (p < 0.001). The daily ambulatory distance decreased by an average 3008 m from childhood to adolescence (p < 0.001). Step length increased an average of 0.10 m (p < 0.001) from childhood to adolescence, while the number of steps taken decreased by an average of 5549 steps (childhood to adolescence) (p < 0.001). The change in the number of steps between childhood and adolescence represents 84.6% of the change in the ambulatory distance while the change in step length explained an additional 13.0%

Conclusions : The decrease in the ambulatory distance from childhood to adolescence was strongly explained by the decrease in step count; however the increase in step length should not to be neglected.