Active urbanism: heart rate and oxygen consumption comparison when walking on imitation steppingstones versus a plain surface

The aim of the study is to measure the effectiveness of steppingstones as an element of landscape design, to make walking a more effective exercise. Increased oxygen consumption and heart rate are important markers to estimate intensity of physical activity. To bridge the gap between physiological theory and the application in urban design, a combined experiment including 26 participants walked on a plain treadmill and then steppingstone imitations at the same speed. Physiological data were collected and compared using a heart rate monitor and a breath-by-breath metabolic system and supplemented with a questionnaire about body reactions and likelihood to perform a similar exercise in a life situation. The average increase in heart rate due to steppingstones was 17.22%. Results further showed that the exercise was more effective for the 30–60-year-old age group. Questionnaire data found that 69% of participants picked ‘maybe’ or ‘definitely’ for using similar steppingstones on their way to work and 100% walking in a park. In conclusion, we estimate that steppingstones can significantly increase people’s 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.