MacMillan et al. BMC Public Health 2011, 11:120 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/120 Page 7 of 12 • • • • • GP screening (5 minutes). Study explanation and consent. Physical activity monitors on (sealed pedometer & activPALTM). Baseline questionnaires completed. 40-60 minutes • Randomisation Visit 1 (Baseline) Visit 2 (7-10 days later) Visit 3 (week 11) Visit 4 (7-10 days later) Visit 5 (23 weeks) Visit 6 (7-10 days later) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Immediate group Collect activPAL Record step counts, unsealed pedometer given First consultation, walking booklet 40-60 minutes Physical activity monitors on (unsealed pedometer & activPAL) ~5 minutes Collect activPAL Record step counts Week 12 questionnaires completed Relapse consultation 40-60 minutes Physical activity monitors on (unsealed pedometer and activPAL) ~5 minutes Collect physical activity monitors Record step counts Week 24 questionnaires completed ~30 minutes • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Delayed group Collect activPAL and pedometer Record step counts ~ 5 minutes Physical activity monitors on (sealed pedometer & activPAL) ~5 minutes Collect activPAL Record step counts, unsealed pedometer given Week 12 questionnaires completed First consultation, walking booklet. 40-60 minutes Physical activity monitors on (unsealed pedometer and activPAL) ~5 minutes Collect physical activity monitors Record step counts Week 24 questionnaires completed ~30 minutes Figure 1 Flowchart of participant visits through the study. their target step goal over the previous 12 weeks or not. The practice nurse and a research assistant who con- ducted participant visits were not blinded to group alloca- tion because they were providing the interventions. All participants’ information and data were labelled with an identification number. All other researchers were blinded to group allocation. Outcome measures i) Physical activity Daily physical activity was assessed using step counts mea- sured by a sealed pedometer (NL-1000, New Lifestyles Inc, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, USA). The NL-1000 records step count and minutes in moderate-to-vigorous intensity activ- ity for the previous 7 days. Participants were instructed to