RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of exercise for health promotion depends on the protocol. We examined the possibility of determining the characteristics of walking (route, speed and work intensity) with a registering type GPS and a heart rate monitor. We also demonstrated the effects of giving a walking regimen utilizing the data on characteristics of walking. METHODS: Route, speed, and heart rate during the walking of 24 elderly habitual walkers were estimated with a memory-type GPS apparatus and a heart rate monitor, respectively. The elderly were instructed to modify the route and/or speed of walking according to the data. RESULTS: 1) The walking speeds for male and female subjects increased from 91.8 +/- 12.8 m/min to 97.3 +/- 12.2 m/min and 81.4 +/- 9.7 m/min to 85.6 +/- 7.0 m/min, respectively (P<0.05). 2) The average work intensity estimated by% HRR during the walking increased from 37.0 +/- 10.5% to 48.6 +/- 8.9% and 34.9 +/- 13.4% to 47.7 +/- 8.8%, respectively (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of a GPS apparatus and a heart rate monitor is effective in determining characteristics of walking and facilitates giving effective instructions for health promotion to the elderly with a habit of walking.
