Determining cadence, or the rate of steps taken within a specific timeframe, involves quantifying the number of steps and dividing that figure by the duration in minutes. For instance, if someone takes 500 steps in 5 minutes, their cadence is 100 steps per minute. This metric is often employed in fitness tracking, athletic training, and medical rehabilitation to assess physical activity levels and progress.
Monitoring cadence provides valuable insights into exercise intensity and efficiency. It can be used to optimize training programs, prevent injuries by identifying unsustainable pacing, and track improvements in cardiovascular health and endurance. Historically, cadence has been a key metric for military marching and, more recently, has become increasingly relevant with the rise of wearable fitness technology.