The number of steps taken per minute while running, typically measured for both feet combined. Most efficient runners maintain a cadence between 170-190 steps per minute, regardless of their speed, achieving faster paces through increased stride length rather than frequency.
'Cadence' comes from Latin 'cadere' meaning 'to fall,' originally referring to the rhythmic flow of music or poetry. In running, it was adopted in the 1980s from military marching terminology to describe the rhythm of foot strikes.
The magic number 180 steps per minute became famous after running coach Jack Daniels observed that nearly all elite distance runners in the 1984 Olympics ran at or above this cadence. However, recent research shows that optimal cadence varies by individual - some efficient runners naturally run at 160-170, while others prefer 190+. The key is consistency and avoiding over-striding!
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