Effects of Fast Rhythmic Auditory Pacing on the Exercise Intensity of a Cognitive–Motor Training in Older Adults

ABSTRACT

This study examined the objective and perceived exercise intensity and movement volume during an acute session of a cognitive‐motor training, namely, square‐stepping exercise (SSE), in older adults under two pacing conditions and three step‐pattern complexities. Thirty older adults (73.6 ± 7.4 years) completed SSE under normal pace (Normal) and externally paced (Paced; 150% of normal walking speed) conditions in randomized order. For each condition, participants performed three different step patterns for 7‐min each: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Exercise intensity was assessed via heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Movement volume was assessed using accelerometry and expressed as percentage of time spent in moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (%MVPA) and step count (SC). Data were analyzed using repeated‐measures ANOVA ( p  < 0.05). Paced SSE significantly increased HR, RPE, %MVPA, and SC compared with normal (all p  < 0.001). Mean HR increased from 61% to 63% of HRmax (predicted) during normal to approximately 72%–74% during the paced conditions. RPE increased from 10–11 to 13–14, whereas %MVPA increased across conditions (normal: 40%–90% and paced: 60%–87%). SC increased from 315–349 to 492–502 steps. Significant main effects of step pattern were observed for HR, RPE, and %MVPA (all p  < 0.001), with a step pattern × condition interaction for %MVPA ( p  < 0.001). Paced SSE substantially increases cardiovascular demand and movement volume, shifting activity from light to moderate intensity in older adults. Manipulating SSE pace and step complexity is possible and may provide a practical strategy to progressively tailor SSE intensity for older adults in exercise programs.