Kinematic and Kinetic Adaptations to Step Cadence ModulationDuringWalking in Healthy Adults

Walking cadence is commonly adjusted in sport and rehabilitation, yet itseffects on spatiotemporal gait parameters and regional plantar pressure distribution undercontrolled speed conditions remain incompletely characterized. Therefore, this studyaimed to determine whether imposed cadence increases at a constant walking speed would (i) systematically reduce temporal gait parameters while preserving inter-limb symmetryand (ii) be associated with region-specific increases in forefoot plantar loading, representingthe primary novel contribution of this work. Methods: Fifty-two adults walked atthree imposed cadences (110, 120, 130 steps·min−1) while maintaining a fixed treadmillspeed of 1. 39 m·s−1 via auditory biofeedback. Spatiotemporal parameters were recordedwith an OptoGait system, and plantar pressure distribution was measured using in-shoepressure insoles. Normally distributed variables were analyzed using repeated-measuresANOVA, whereas plantar pressure metrics were assessed using the Friedman test, followedby Wilcoxon signed-rank post-hoc comparisons with false discovery rate (FDR) correction. Associations between temporal parameters and plantar loading metrics (peakpressure, pressure–time integral) were examined using Spearman’s rank correlation withFDR correction (α = 0. 05). Results: Increasing cadence produced progressive reductions in gaitcycle duration (~8–10%), contact time (~7–8%), and step time (all p < 0. 01), while inter-limbsymmetry indices remained below 2% across conditions. Peak plantar pressure increasedsignificantly in several forefoot regions with increasing cadence (all pFDR < 0. 05), whereaschanges in the first ray were less consistent across conditions. Regional forefoot pressure–timeintegral also increased modestly with higher cadence (pFDR < 0. 01). Spearman’s correlationsrevealed moderate negative associations between temporal gait parameters and globalplantar loading metrics (ρ = −0. 38 to −0. 46, all pFDR < 0. 05). Conclusions: At a constantwalking speed, increasing cadence systematically shortens temporal gait components andis associated with small but consistent region-specific increases in forefoot plantar loading. These findings highlight cadence as a key temporal constraint shaping plantar loadingpatterns during steady-state walking and support the existence of concurrent temporal–mechanical adaptations. Keywords: step cadence; human gait; biomechanics; plantar pressure; motor control;