City know-how: Active Urbanism: Heart rate and oxygen consumption comparison when walking on imitation stepping stones versus a plain surface

City know-how

This study measured the effectiveness of stepping stones as an element of landscape design – to make walking a more effective form of exercise for health.  

The average increase in heart rate due to stepping stones was 17.22%.  In conclusion, researchers estimate that stepping stones can significantly increase peoples metabolic and physiological parameters, and can help the wider population to achieve the recommended government and health guidelines of ‘moderate exercise’ of 150 min/week, improving population health. This new evidence can help designers to implement ‘Active Urbanism’ strategies. 

For the attention of:

City authorities, urban designers, landscape architects.

The problem

The range and variety of movement has been and is being eliminated from urban environments. These are often designed for lowest level of agility and ability, even where there is enough space to provide other more challenging options. A lack of opportunities and nudging of people to exercise as a separate activity from everyday walking is leading to inactivity pandemic resulting in cardio-respiratory problems.

What was done and why

To bridge the gap between physiological theory and the application in urban design, researchers designed a combination experiment. This included 26 participants walking on a plain treadmill in a laboratory, and then stepping stone imitations at the same speed. Physiological data was collected and compared using a heart rate monitor and a breath-by-breath metabolic system. This was supplemented by a questionnaire about body reactions and likelihood to perform a similar exercise in a life situation.

What this study adds

This study adds a new criteria to consider designing urban landscapes. It supports opportunities and encouragement for ‘moderate exercise’ (increasing breathing and heart rate) to help make the population healthier.

What this means for city policy and practice

New criteria can be applied through adding stepping stones to public realm, creating adventurous landscapes in parks and boulevards, without affecting accessibility. The balance between risk of falling now, and health deterioration over years, should be considered.

Further information

Anna Boldina – Active urbanism research and design: Landscape design research encouraging physical activity

Read the paper

‘Active urbanism: heart rate and oxygen consumption comparison when walking on imitation steppingstones versus a plain surface’ by Anna Boldina, Henry C. Chung, Amândio Manuel Cupido Santos and Koen Steemers

About City Know-how

Bristol Health Partners’ SHINE Health Integration Team (HIT) is a network partner for the Cities & Health journal, published by Routledge.

SHINE HIT, which supports healthy and inclusive neighbourhoods for people, publishes regular, bite-sized ‘City Know-How’ updates to help translate research knowledge into policy and practice. Find out more about the City Know-How series.