Active Urbanism: Heart rate and oxygen consumption comparison when walking on imitation stepping stones versus a plain surface
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 steppingstones was 17.22%. In conclusion, we 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.