The feasibility of using pedometers and brief advice to increase activity in sedentary older women – a pilot study The 'Walking for Wellbeing in the West' randomised controlled trial of a pedometer-based walking programme in combination with physical activity consultation with 12 month follow-up: rationale and study design Pedometers as a means to increase ambulatory activity for patients seen at a family medicine clinic. Pedometers and Text Messaging to Increase Physical Activity The Healthy Steps Study: A randomized controlled trial of a pedometer-based Green Prescription for older adults. Trial protocol A pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating motivationally matched pedometer feedback to increase physical activity behavior in older adults. Predicting students' physical activity and health-related well-being: a prospective cross-domain investigation of motivation across school physical education and exercise settings. The effect of a pedometer-based community walking intervention "Walking for Wellbeing in the West" on physical activity levels and health outcomes: a 12-week randomized controlled trial Feasibility of pedometers for adults with schizophrenia: pilot study. Short-Term Effects of Using Pedometers to Increase Daily Physical Activity in Smokers: A Randomized Trial The mPED randomized controlled clinical trial: applying mobile persuasive technologies to increase physical activity in sedentary women protocol Do pedometers increase physical activity in sedentary older women? A randomized controlled trial. Effectiveness of pedometer use in motivating active duty and other military healthcare beneficiaries to walk more. A comparison of questionnaire, accelerometer, and pedometer: measures in older people. Enhancement of daily physical activity increases physical fitness of outclinic COPD patients: results of an exercise counseling program. The effect of an intervention combining self-efficacy theory and pedometers on promoting physical activity among adolescents. Innovation to motivation--pilot study of a mobile phone intervention to increase physical activity among sedentary women. Promoting physical activity in COPD: Insights from a randomized trial of a web-based intervention and pedometer use. Using pedometers to increase physical activity in overweight and obese women: a pilot study A randomized trial comparing structured and lifestyle goals in an internet-mediated walking program for people with type 2 diabetes Randomized controlled trial of effectiveness of pedometers on general practitioners' attitudes to engagement in and promotion of physical activity Web-Based, Computer-Tailored, Pedometer-Based Physical Activity Advice: Development, Dissemination Through General Practice, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy in a Randomized Controlled Trial The long-term effects of a primary care physical activity intervention on mental health in low-active, community-dwelling older adults
Background People over the age of 70 carry the greatest burden of chronic disease , disability and health care use . Participation in physical activity is crucial for health , and walking accounts for much of the physical activity undertaken by sedentary individuals . Pedometers are a useful motivational tool to encourage increased walking and they are cheap and easy to use . The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of the use of pedometers plus a theory-based intervention to assist sedentary older women to accumulate increasing amounts of physical activity , mainly through walking . Methods Female participants over the age of 70 were recruited from primary care and r and omised to receive either pedometer plus a theory-based intervention or a theory-based intervention alone . The theory-based intervention consisted of motivational techniques , goal - setting , barrier identification and self-monitoring with pedometers and daily diaries . The pedometer group were further r and omised to one of three target groups : a 10 % , 15 % or 20 % monthly increase in step count to assess the achievability and acceptability of a range of targets . The primary outcome was change in daily activity levels measured by accelerometry . Secondary outcome measures were lower limb function , health related quality of life , anxiety and depression . Results 54 participants were recruited into the study , with an average age of 76 . There were 9 drop outs , 45 completing the study . All participants in the pedometer group found the pedometers easy to use and there was good compliance with diary keeping ( 96 % in the pedometer group and 83 % in the theory-based intervention alone group ) . There was a strong correlation ( 0.78 ) between accelerometry and pedometer step counts i.e. indicating that walking was the main physical activity amongst participants . There was a greater increase in activity ( accelerometry ) amongst those in the 20 % target pedometer group compared to the other groups , although not reaching statistical significance ( p = 0.192 ) . Conclusion We have demonstrated that it is feasible to use pedometers and provide theory-based advice to community dwelling sedentary older women to increase physical activity levels and a larger study is planned to investigate this further Background Scotl and has a policy aim ed at increasing physical activity levels in the population , but evidence on how to achieve this is still developing . Studies that focus on encouraging real world participants to start physical activity in their setting s are needed . The Walking for Well-being in the West study was design ed to assess the effectiveness of a pedometer-based walking programme in combination with physical activity consultation . The study was multi-disciplinary and based in the community . Walking for Well-being in the West investigated whether Scottish men and women , who were not achieving the current physical activity recommendation , increased and maintained walking behaviour over a 12 month period . This paper outlines the rationale and design of this innovative and pragmatic study . Methods Participants were r and omised into two groups : Group 1 : Intervention ( pedometer-based walking programme combined with a series of physical activity consultations ) ; Group 2 : Waiting list control for 12 weeks ( followed by minimal pedometer-based intervention ) . Physical activity ( primary outcome ) was measured using  pedometer step counts ( 7 day ) and the International Physical Activity Question naire ( long version ) . Psychological processes were measured using question naires relating to the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change , mood ( Positive and Negative Affect Schedule ) and quality of life ( Euroqol EQ-5D instrument ) . Physiological measures included anthropometric and metabolic outcomes . Environmental influences were assessed subjectively ( Neighbourhood Quality of Life Survey ) and objective ly ( neighbourhood audit tool and GIS mapping ) . The qualitative evaluation employed observation , semi-structured interviews and focus groups . A supplementary study undertook an economic evaluation . Discussion Data analysis is on-going . Walking for Well-being in the West will demonstrate if a pedometer based walking programme , in combination with physical activity consultation results in a sustainable increase in walking behaviour in this sample of Scottish adults over a 12 month period . The study will examine the complex relationships between behavioural change , health consequences and the role of the environment , in conjunction with the cost effectiveness of this approach and a detailed insight into the participants ' experiences of the intervention . Trial registration Current Controlled Trials IS RCT Because of their frequent encounters with sedentary patients , family physicians are poised to be on the forefront of the medical community 's response to physical inactivity . The purpose of this pilot study was to examine whether the addition of a pedometer to brief physician counseling could help patients increase their ambulatory activity .  Ninety four participants recruited from a family medicine clinic were r and omly assigned to 2 groups . Both groups received a brief physician endorsement of regular physical activity , a h and out on the benefits of an active lifestyle , and 3 follow-up phone calls from a health educator . In addition , the intervention group received a pedometer and was instructed to record their steps daily over the 9-week study period . Measurements were taken for self-reported walking , walking stage-of-change , walking self-efficacy , and pedometer steps ( intervention group only ) . Among completers , mean daily step counts in the pedometer group rose from 6779 at baseline to 8855 at study end . Average individual improvement was 41 % over the study period . Both groups significantly increased blocks walked per day , stair climbing versus using the elevator , days per week walking > or = 30 minutes , and walking for fun/leisure . The frequency of walking short trips improved significantly more in the pedometer group relative to the comparison group . The results of this pilot study highlight the need for further research on the use of pedometers as a motivational tool in the context of medical encounters with inactive patients OBJECTIVE To assess whether pedometers and text messaging increase physical activity in adolescents with type 1 diabetes . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A 12-week r and omized controlled trial was conducted . A total of 78 subjects participated in the trial ( mean ± SD age 14.4 ± 2.37 years , 36 [ 47 % ] male ) . Intervention participants wore an open pedometer and received regular motivational text messages . Control participants received usual care . Primary outcomes were daily step count ( 4-day closed pedometer ) and physical activity question naire . RESULTS Baseline median step count was 11,063 steps/day ( range 1,541–20,158 ) . At 12 weeks , mean daily step count reduced by 840 ( 95 % CI −1,947 to 266 ) in the control group and by 22 ( −1,407 to 1,364 ) in the intervention group ( P = 0.4 ) . Mean self-reported moderate or vigorous physical activity increased by 38.5 min/week in the control group and by 48.4 in the intervention group ( P = 0.9 ) . CONCLUSIONS A 12-week intervention using pedometers and text messaging as motivational tools in adolescents with type 1 diabetes  did not increase physical activity Background Grade d health benefits of physical activity have been demonstrated for the reduction of coronary heart disease , some cancers , and type-2 diabetes , and for injury reduction and improvements in mental health .  Older adults are particularly at risk of physical inactivity , and would greatly benefit from successful targeted physical activity interventions . Methods / Design The Healthy Steps study is a 12-month r and omized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of a pedometer-based Green Prescription with the conventional time-based Green Prescription in increasing and maintaining physical activity levels in low-active adults over 65 years of age . The Green Prescription interventions involve a primary care physical activity prescription with 3 follow-up telephone counselling sessions delivered by trained physical activity counsellors over 3 months . Those in the pedometer group received a pedometer and counselling based around increasing steps that can be monitored on the pedometer , while those in the st and ard Green Prescription group received counselling using time-based goals . Baseline , 3 month ( end of intervention ) , and 12 month measures were assessed in face-to-face home visits with outcomes measures being physical activity ( Auckl and Heart Study Physical Activity Question naire ) , quality of life ( SF-36 and EQ-5D ) , depressive symptoms ( Geriatric Depression Scale ) , blood pressure , weight status , functional status ( gait speed , chair st and s , and t and em balance test ) and falls and adverse events ( self-report ) . Utilisation of health services was assessed for the economic evaluation carried out alongside this trial . As well , a process evaluation of the interventions and an examination of barriers and motives for physical activity in the sample were conducted . The perceptions of primary care physicians in relation to delivering physical activity counselling were also assessed . Discussion The findings from the Healthy Steps trial are due in late 2009 . If successful in improving physical activity in older adults , the pedometer-based Green Prescription could assist in reducing utilisation of health services and improve cardiovascular health and reduction of risk for a range of non-communicable lifestyles diseases . Trial registration Australian and New Zeal and Clinical Trials Registry BACKGROUND Increasing physical activity ( PA ) levels in older adults represents an important public health challenge . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of combining individualized motivational messaging with pedometer walking step targets to increase PA in previously inactive and insufficiently active older adults . METHODS In this 12-week intervention study older adults were r and omized to 1 of 4 study arms : Group 1 - -control ; Group 2 - -pedometer 10,000 step goal ; Group 3 - -pedometer step goal plus individualized motivational feedback ; or Group 4 - -everything in Group 3 augmented with biweekly telephone feedback . RESULTS 81 participants were r and omized into the study , 61 participants completed the study with an average age of 63.8 ± 6.0 years . Group 1 did not differ in accumulated steps/day following the 12-week intervention compared with participants in Group 2 . Participants in Groups 3 and 4 took on average 2159 ( P < .001 ) and 2488 ( P < .001 ) more steps/day , respectively , than those in Group 1 after the 12-week intervention . CONCLUSION In this 12-week pilot r and omized control trial , a pedometer feedback intervention partnered with individually matched motivational messaging was an effective intervention strategy to significantly increase PA behavior in previously inactive and insufficiently active older adults A three-wave prospect i ve design was used to assess a model of motivation guided by self-determination theory ( Ryan & Deci , 2008 ) spanning the context s of  school physical education ( PE ) and exercise .  The outcome variables examined were health-related quality of life ( HRQoL ) , physical self-concept ( PSC ) , and 4 days of objective ly assessed estimates of activity . Secondary school students ( n = 494 ) completed question naires at three separate time points and were familiarized with how to use a sealed pedometer . Results of structural equation modeling supported a model in which perceptions of autonomy support from a PE teacher positively predicted PE-related need satisfaction ( autonomy , competence , and relatedness ) . Competence predicted PSC , whereas relatedness predicted HRQoL. Autonomy and competence positively predicted autonomous motivation toward PE , which in turn positively predicted autonomous motivation toward exercise ( i.e. , 4-day pedometer step count ) . Autonomous motivation toward exercise positively predicted step count , HRQoL , and PSC . Results of multi sample structural equation modeling supported gender invariance . Suggestions for future work are discussed Background Recent systematic review s have suggested that pedometers may be effective motivational tools to promote walking . However , studies tend to be of a relatively short duration , with small clinical based sample s. Further research is required to demonstrate their effectiveness in adequately powered , community based studies . Objective Using a r and omized controlled trial design , this study assessed the impact of a 12-week graduated pedometer-based walking intervention on daily step-counts , self-reported physical activity and health outcomes in a Scottish community sample not meeting current physical activity recommendations . MethodS ixty-three women and 16 men ( 49.2 years ± 8.8 ) were r and omly assigned to either an intervention ( physical activity consultation and 12-week pedometer-based walking program ) or control ( no action ) group . Measures for step-counts , 7-day physical activity recall , affect , quality of life ( n = 79 ) , body mass , BMI , % body fat , waist and hip circumference ( n = 76 ) , systolic/diastolic blood pressure , total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol ( n = 66 ) were taken at baseline and week 12 . Analyses were performed on an intention to treat basis using 2-way mixed factorial analyses of variance for parametric data and Mann Whitney and Wilcoxon tests for non-parametric data . Results Significant increases were found in the intervention group for step-counts ( p < .001 ) , time spent in leisure walking ( p = .02 ) and positive affect ( p = .027 ) . Significant decreases were found in this group for time spent in weekday ( p = .003 ) , weekend ( p = .001 ) and total sitting ( p = .001 ) with no corresponding changes in the control group . No significant changes in any other health outcomes were found in either group . In comparison with the control group at week 12 , the intervention group reported a significantly greater number of minutes spent in leisure time ( p = .008 ) , occupational ( p = .045 ) and total walking ( p = .03 ) , and significantly fewer minutes in time spent in weekend ( p = .003 ) and total sitting ( p = .022 ) . Conclusion A pedometer-based walking program , incorporating a physical activity consultation , is effective in promoting walking and improving positive affect over 12 weeks in community based individuals . The discussion examines possible explanations for the lack of significant changes in health outcomes . Continued follow-up of this study will examine adherence to the intervention and possible result ing effects on health outcomes The purpose of this prospect i ve and observational design study was to assess the feasibility of using a pedometer and step log to explore  level of physical activity ( PA )  and to assess motivation to be physically active in adults with schizophrenia . Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data of 7 male and 5 female subjects . Pedometer data indicated that subjects walked an average of 4731.03 ( ±3318.19 ) steps and 5002.58 ( ±3041.03 ) during the first week and second week of the study , respectively . A minimum 30-min walk was recorded on an average of 3.67 ( ±1.82 ) days ( week one ) and 4.5 ( ±1.88 ) days ( week two ) . Step logs , inconsistently maintained by subjects , were not able to be analysed . Examination of the Motives for Physical Activity Measure-Revised ( MPAM-R ) at baseline indicates that exercise fitness and body appearance were subjects ' primary motives for PA participation . Study findings indicate that it is feasible to use a pedometer to monitor the level of PA  . However , maintenance of a concurrent step log requires further consideration to determine realistic outcomes . Extrinsically focused motivations for PA in this study sample may predict low PA adherence BACKGROUND : In adults it is recommended that the minimum of 10,000 steps/day should be performed in order to consider an individual as active . The pedometer , a small device that counts steps , has been used to monitor and /or motivate physical activity in various population s. OBJECTIVE : To investigate the short-term effects of a protocol using a pedometer or an informative booklet to increase daily physical activity in apparently healthy smokers who reached or did not reach the minimum public health recommendation of 10,000 steps/day . METHODS : Subjects were r and omly assigned to 2 groups : group pedometer ( GP , n = 23 ) , who wore a pedometer every day during 1 month , aim ing to achieve 10,000 steps/day ; and group booklet ( GB , n = 17 ) , who received a booklet with encouragement to walk as much as possible in everyday life . Each group was subdivided according to their baseline daily physical activity level : active ( subjects who achieved 10,000 steps/day ) , and inactive ( those who did not achieve this minimum ) . RESULTS : Only the physically inactive GP increased significantly its daily physical activity ( pre vs post 7,670 [ 6,159–9,402 ] steps/day vs 10,310 [ 9,483–11,110 ] steps/day , P < .001 ) , with a concomitant increase in the 6-min walking test ( 6MWT ) distance ( mean and interquartile range 540 m [ 501–586 m ] vs 566 m [ 525–604 m ] , P = .03 ) . In GP , Δ post-pre steps/day correlated significantly with baseline number of steps/day ( r = −0.63 , P = .01 ) , but not with 6MWT . In the inactive subjects ( summing GP and GB ) , there were significant correlations between steps/day and cigarettes/day , pack-years , and Fagerström question naire ( r = −0.55 , −0.40 , and −0.59 , P ≤ .05 for all ) . Furthermore , improvement in steps/day in the inactive subjects of GP was correlated with baseline cigarettes smoked per day , pack-years , and Fagerström question naire ( r = 0.51 , 0.65 and 0.53 , P ≤ .05 for all ) . CONCLUSIONS : Physically inactive smokers improve their daily physical activity level by using a simple tool ( pedometer ) , and larger improvement occurs in subjects with the lowest levels of physical activity Background Despite the significant health benefits of regular physical activity , approximately half of American adults , particularly women and minorities , do not meet the current physical activity recommendations . Mobile phone technologies are readily available , easily accessible and may provide a potentially powerful tool for delivering physical activity interventions . However , we need to underst and how to effectively apply these mobile technologies to increase and maintain physical activity in physically inactive women . The purpose of this paper is to describe the study design and protocol of the mPED ( mobile phone based physical activity education ) r and omized controlled clinical trial that examines the efficacy of a 3-month mobile phone and pedometer based physical activity intervention and compares two different 6-month maintenance interventions . Methods A r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) with three arms ; 1 ) PLUS ( 3-month mobile phone and pedometer based physical activity intervention and 6-month mobile phone diary maintenance intervention ) , 2 ) REGULAR ( 3-month mobile phone and pedometer based physical activity intervention and 6-month pedometer maintenance intervention ) , and 3 ) CONTROL ( pedometer only , but no intervention will be conducted ) . A total of 192 physically inactive women who meet all inclusion criteria and successfully complete a 3-week run-in will be r and omized into one of the three groups . The mobile phone serves as a means of delivering the physical activity intervention , setting individualized weekly physical activity goals , and providing self-monitoring ( activity diary ) , immediate feedback and social support . The mobile phone also functions as a tool for communication and real-time data capture . The primary outcome is objective ly measured physical activity . Discussion If efficacy of the intervention with a mobile phone is demonstrated , the results of this RCT will be able to provide new insights for current behavioral sciences and mHealth . Trial Registration Clinical OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of a behavior change intervention ( BCI ) with or without a pedometer in increasing physical activity in sedentary older women . DESIGN Prospect i ve r and omized controlled trial . SETTING Primary care , City of Dundee , Scotl and . PARTICIPANTS Two hundred four sedentary women aged 70 and older . INTERVENTIONS Six months of BCI , BCI plus pedometer ( pedometer plus ) , or usual care . MEASUREMENTS PRIMARY OUTCOME change in daily activity counts measured by accelerometry . SECONDARY OUTCOMES Short Physical Performance Battery , health-related quality of life , depression and anxiety , falls , and National Health Service re source use . RESULTS One hundred seventy-nine of 204 ( 88 % ) women completed the 6-month trial .  Withdrawals were highest from the BCI group ( 15/68 ) followed by the pedometer plus group ( 8/68 ) and then the control group ( 2/64 ) . After adjustment for baseline differences , accelerometry counts increased significantly more in the BCI group at 3 months than in the control group ( P = .002 ) and the pedometer plus group ( P = .04 ) . By 6 months , accelerometry counts in both intervention groups had fallen to levels that were no longer statistically significantly different from baseline . There were no significant changes in the secondary outcomes . CONCLUSION The BCI was effective in objective ly increasing physical activity in sedentary older women . Provision of a pedometer yielded no additional benefit in physical activity , but may have motivated participants to remain in the trial Although implementing a regular exercise program may initially seem overwhelming to individuals attempting weight loss , increasing walking with a focus on steps-per-day may be a more realistic means for encouraging physical activity . This study evaluated the effectiveness of pedometer use for motivating an increase in physical activity among overweight/obese military beneficiaries . Participants ( N=106 ) were r and omly assigned to either the " Usual Lifestyle " ( no change in activity advised ) or " Pedometer " group ( education and encouraged to obtain 10,000 steps per day ) , and both groups were assessed for changes in physical activity , anthropometric measures , and clinic measures over time . Results ( n=89 ) demonstrated improvements in physical activity and all measured indices across both groups . There was a statistically significant increase in steps per day by time ( P<.001 ) , however , no statistically significant difference between treatment groups over time ( P=.167 ) . Approximately 49.4 % of participants achieved the 10,000 steps per day goal at follow-up . All secondary measured indices , except blood pressure , demonstrated a significant change overall from baseline to posttest : weight ( P<.001 ) , BMI ( P<.001 ) , percent body fat ( P=.001 ) and heart rate ( P=.005 ) . Findings indicate that all participants made lifestyle changes , possibly as a result of frequent investigator-participant interaction , however , more likely due to the pedometer serving as a tangible tool to constantly remind the wearer to get up and walk more , regardless if a step count is tracked PURPOSE To compare ( i ) the convergent validity of the self-report Zutphen Physical Activity Question naire with the 7-d objective physical activity ( PA ) measurement by accelerometers and pedometers and ( ii ) the construct validity of these measures by examining their associations with physical health and psychological and anthropometric variables . METHODS Five hundred and sixty community-dwelling people aged > or = 65 yr were invited from a UK primary care practice and 238 ( 43 % ) participated ( mean age = 74 , 53 % male ) .  PA was assessed subjectively by the Zutphen question naire ( modified to include housework questions ) and objective ly by the 7-d accelerometer monitoring : a r and om half also had a pedometer . A question naire assessed health , disability , and psychological factors , and anthropometric assessment was performed . RESULTS Mean daily PA levels were as follows : Zutphen = 9.1 kcal x kg(-1 ) x d(-1 ) ( SD = 6.6 kcal x kg(-1 ) x d(-1 ) ) ; accelerometer activity count = 226,648 ( SD = 121,966 ) ; accelerometer step count = 6495 ( SD = 3212 ) ; and pedometer step count = 6712 ( SD = 3526 ) . Zutphen score was moderately correlated with accelerometer activity count ( R = 0.34 , P < 0.001 ) and pedometer step count ( R = 0.36 , P < 0.001 ) . Pedometer step count was highly correlated with accelerometer activity count ( R = 0.82 , P < 0.001 ) and accelerometer step count ( R = 0.86 , P < 0.001 ) . Objective PA measures showed strong associations with health and anthropometric and psychological variables . Zutphen score was not significantly related to most health or anthropometric measures but was associated with psychological variables and provided information about activity type . CONCLUSIONS Convergent validity was strong between accelerometers and pedometers but weaker between these and self-report Zutphen . Pedometers may be preferred to accelerometers for simple studies due to their lower cost . Objective measures had better construct validity , being more strongly associated with established PA determinants , and thus offered better value to research ers than the question naire , but the latter provided useful detail on activity type , so a combined approach to PA assessment may be preferable OBJECTIVE To investigate whether a 12-week pedometer-based exercise counseling strategy is feasible and effectively enhances daily physical activity in outclinic Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD ) patients who do not participate in a rehabilitation program in a controlled way . METHODS 35 outclinic COPD patients ( 21 males , mean age 62 years , GOLD I-III , mean FEV(1)% predicted 64.7 ) were r and omized for a 12-week individual pedometer-based exercise counseling program promoting daily physical activities or usual care .  Daily physical activity ( DigiWalker SW-200 ) , physical fitness , health-related quality of life , self-efficacy , fatigue , depression and motivation to be physically active were assessed before and after the intervention . RESULTS After the intervention , COPD patients in the exercise counseling group showed a significant increase in their mean number of steps/day ( from 7087 to 7872 ) , whereas the usual care group showed a decrease ( from 7539 to 6172 ) . Significant differences favoring the exercise counseling group were demonstrated in arm strength , leg strength , health-related quality of life and intrinsic motivation to be physically active . CONCLUSION Our study shows that a 12-week pedometer-based exercise counseling strategy is feasible and effectively enhances daily physical activity , physical fitness , health-related quality of life and intrinsic motivation in outclinic COPD patients who do not participate in a rehabilitation program . PRACTICE IMPLICATION S The feasibility of our exercise counseling strategy is good and patients were motivated to participate AIM To study the effect of an intervention combining self-efficacy theory and pedometers on promoting physical activity among adolescents . BACKGROUND The beneficial effects of regular physical activity on health in youths are well-documented . However , adolescence is found to be the age of greatest decline in physical activity participation . Physical activity participation among girls was generally less frequent and less intense than boys . Therefore , there is a strong need for effective interventions that can help promote physical activity in this population . DESIGN An experimental design . METHODS Two classes of female junior college students ( mean age = 16 ) were r and omly sample d from a total of four classes and , of those , one each was r and omly assigned to either the intervention ( n = 46 ) or the control group ( n = 48 ) . Self-efficacy was used as a core theoretical foundation of the intervention design , and pedometers were provided to the students in the intervention group . Distances between each domestic scenic spot were illustrated graphically in a walking log for students to mark the extent of their walking or running . Students in the control group participated in a usual physical education programme . The primary outcome was a change in the number of aerobic steps . The secondary outcomes were changes in cardiopulmonary endurance and exercise self-efficacy . RESULTS At 12-week follow-up , the mean change in aerobic steps was 371 steps and 108 steps in the intervention and control group , respectively . The difference in mean change between the two groups was 467 steps . Effects of the intervention on changes of cardiopulmonary endurance and perceived exercise self-efficacy scores were not found . CONCLUSIONS Among adolescent girls , a 12-week intervention design ed on the theoretical foundation of self-efficacy theory and provision of pedometers was found to have an effect on increasing their physical activity . The intervention , using graphs of domestic scenic spots to represent the distance of walking or running as monitored by pedometers , might enhance motivation regarding physical activity . RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE It is important for health professionals , including school health nurses , involved in the care of adolescent health , to design and provide a physical activity intervention combining self-efficacy theory and provision of pedometer to promote physical activity OBJECTIVES This uncontrolled pilot study assessed changes in pedometer-measured step counts and self-reported physical activity during a 3-week mobile phone-based intervention . We also explored whether age , BMI , and psychosocial factors were associated with changes in step counts . METHODS Forty-one sedentary adult women in San Francisco , California were asked to report their pedometer steps using a study -supplied mobile phone from June to September 2008 . In the second and third weeks , daily prompts delivered by the mobile phone encouraged participants to increase steps by 20 % from the previous week . RESULTS Mean age was 48 years .  Average daily total steps increased by approximately 800 or 15 % over three weeks ( p<0.001 ) . Lower BMI , no antidepressant use , and lower self-reported health status were associated with higher step counts at baseline . Improvements in self-reported will-power were associated with increases in step counts ( p<0.001 ) . Neither age ( p=0.55 ) nor BMI ( p=0.13 ) was significantly associated with changes in activity over the 3 weeks . CONCLUSIONS The intervention appeared to motivate sedentary women to increase their physical activity . A r and omized controlled clinical trial is warranted and feasible RATIONALE Low physical activity is highly prevalent among COPD patients and is associated with increased healthcare utilization and mortality and reduced HRQL . The addition of a website to pedometer use is effective at increasing physical activity ; however , the timeline of change and impact of environmental factors on efficacy is unknown . METHODS U.S. Veterans with COPD were r and omized ( 1:1 ) to receive either ( 1 ) a pedometer and website which provided goal - setting , feedback , disease-specific education , and an online community forum or ( 2 ) pedometer alone for 3 months . Primary outcome was change in daily step count . Secondary outcomes included 6MWT distance , HRQL , dyspnea , depression , COPD knowledge , exercise self-efficacy , social support , motivation , and confidence to exercise . Generalized linear mixed-effects models evaluated the effect of the pedometer plus website compared to pedometer alone . RESULTS Data from 109 subjects ( 98.5 % male , mean age 68.6 ± 8.3 years ) were analyzed . At 13 weeks , subjects in the pedometer plus website group had significant increases daily step count from baseline relative to the pedometer alone group ( 804 ± 356.5 steps per day , p = 0.02 ) . The pedometer plus website group had significant improvements in daily step count from baseline beginning in week 3 which were sustained until week 13 . In subgroup analyses , the pedometer plus website attenuated declines in daily step count during the transition from summer to fall . No significant differences in secondary outcomes were noted between groups . CONCLUSIONS A website added to pedometer use improves daily step counts , sustains walking over 3 months , and attenuates declines in physical activity due to season Background Most public health guidelines recommend that adults participate in 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days of the week . Establishing new ways to achieve these targets in sedentary population s need to be explored . This research evaluated whether the daily use of pedometers could increase physical activity and improve health outcomes in sedentary overweight and obese women . Methods Twenty six overweight and obese middle-aged women were r and omized into two groups : The control group was not able to record their steps daily , whilst the pedometer group , were asked to record the number of steps on a daily basis for 12 weeks . Results Our data showed that the pedometer group significantly increased their steps/day , by 36 % , at the end of the 12 weeks , whereas the control group 's physical activity levels remained unchanged . There was no significant difference in weight or body fat composition in the pedometer group compared to the control group . However , there was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure in the pedometer group ( 112.8 ± 2.44 mm Hg ) compared to the control group ( 117.3 ± 2.03 mm Hg ) ( p = 0.003 ) . Conclusion In conclusion , this pilot study shows that the combination of having step goals and immediate feedback from using a pedometer was effective in increasing physical activity levels in sedentary overweight and obese women . Trial registration Background The majority of individuals with type 2 diabetes do not exercise regularly . Pedometer-based walking interventions can help ; however , pedometer-based interventions targeting only total daily accumulated steps might not yield the same health benefits as physical activity programs specifying a minimum duration and intensity of physical activity bouts . Methods This pilot r and omized trial compared two goal - setting strategies : 1 ) lifestyle goals targeting total daily accumulated step counts and 2 ) structured goals targeting bout steps defined as walking that lasts for 10 minutes or longer at a pace of at least 60 steps per minute . We sought to determine which goal - setting strategy was more effective at increasing bout steps . Participants were sedentary adults with type 2 diabetes . All participants : wore enhanced pedometers with embedded USB ports ; uploaded detailed , time-stamped step-count data to a website called Stepping Up to Health ; and received automated step-count feedback , automatically calculated goals , and tailored motivational messages throughout the six-week intervention . Only the automated goal calculations and step-count feedback differed between the two groups . The primary outcome of interest was increase in steps taken during the previously defined bouts of walking ( lasting at least 10 minutes or longer at a pace of at least 60 steps per minute ) between baseline and end of the intervention . Results Thirty-five participants were r and omized and 30 ( 86 % ) completed the pilot study . Both groups significantly increased bout steps , but there was no statistically significant difference between groups . Among study completers , bout steps increased by 1921 ± 2729 steps a day . Those who received lifestyle goals were more satisfied with the intervention ( p = 0.006 ) and wore the pedometer more often ( p < 0.001 ) than those who received structured goals . Conclusion In this six-week intervention , Lifestyle Goals group participants achieved increases in bout steps comparable to the increases seen in the Structured Goals group , representing almost a mile a day of additional moderate intensity bout activity . Pedometer-based walking programs that emphasize total accumulated step counts are more acceptable to participants and are as effective at increasing moderate intensity bouts of physical activity as programs that use structured goals .Trial registration Abstract Pedometers have been identified as a tool for health professionals to promote physical activity . This study , which aim ed to evaluate the effectiveness of wearing a pedometer on general practitioners ' attitudes to promoting physical activity , was a pragmatic , multi-centred , r and omized controlled trial within a primary care trust in Engl and . The participants were 102 general practitioners ( GPs ) . Eighty-five ( 48 males , 37 females ) of the GPs completed pre and post question naires , 43 of whom were in the intervention group . Statistical analysis revealed no significant changes between the control and intervention groups for attitude to engage in physical activity ( t 83 = 1.13 , CI −0.362 to 0.099 ) or attitude to promote physical activity in their patients ( t 83 = 1.7 , CI −0.593 to 0.045 ) . A higher volume of walking was significantly correlated with a more positive attitude to engage in physical activity ( r = 0.58 , P < 0.01 ) but not with a more positive attitude to promoting physical activity . Wearing a pedometer had no significant effect on GPs ' attitudes to engaging in physical activity or promoting physical activity in their patients Background Computer tailoring is a relatively innovative and promising physical activity intervention approach . However , few  computer-tailored physical activity interventions in adults have provided feedback based on pedometer use . Objectives To ( 1 ) describe the development of a Web-based , pedometer-based , computer-tailored step advice intervention , ( 2 ) report on the dissemination of this tool through general practice , ( 3 ) report on its perceived acceptability , and ( 4 ) evaluate the preliminary efficacy of this tool in comparison with a st and ard intervention . Methods We recruited 92 participants through general practitioners and r and omly assigned them to a st and ard condition ( receiving a pedometer-only intervention , n = 47 ) and a tailored condition ( receiving a pedometer plus newly developed , automated , computer-tailored step advice intervention , n = 45 ) . Step counts , self-reported data obtained via telephone interview on physical activity , time spent sitting , and body mass index were assessed at baseline and postintervention . The present sample was mostly female ( 54/92 , 59 % ) , highly educated ( 59/92 , 64 % ) , employed ( 65/92 , 71 % ) , and in good health ( 62/92 , 67 % ) . Results Recruitment through general practitioners was poor ( n = 107 , initial response rate 107/1737 , 6.2 % ) ; however , the majority of participants ( 50/69 , 73 % ) believed it is useful that general practitioners help patients find ways to increase physical activity . In the tailored condition , 30/43 ( 70 % ) participants requested the computer-tailored step advice and the majority found it underst and able ( 21/21 , 100 % ) , credible ( 17/18 , 94 % ) , relevant ( 15/18 , 83 % ) , not too long ( 13/18 , 72 % ) , instructive ( 13/18 , 72 % ) , and encouraging to increase steps ( 16/24 , 67 % ) . Daily step counts increased from baseline ( mean 9237 , SD 3749 steps/day ) to postintervention ( mean 11,876 , SD 4574 steps/day ) in the total sample ( change of 2639 , 95 % confidence interval 105–5172 ; F 1 = 5.0 , P = .04 ) . No interaction or other time effects were found . Conclusions The majority of participants in the tailored condition accepted the step advice and indicated it was useful . However , in this selected sample of adults , the tailored condition did not show superior effects compared with the st and ard condition Objectives : To examine the effect that physical activity delivered via two different versions of the Green Prescription ( a primary care physical activity scripting program ) had on depressive symptomatology and general mental health functioning over a 12-month period in non-depressed , low-active , community-dwelling older adults . Method : Two hundred and twenty-five participants from the Healthy Steps study took part in the present study . Healthy Steps participants were r and omized to receive either the st and ard time-based or a modified pedometer-based Green Prescription .  Depression , mental health functioning and physical activity were measured at baseline , post-intervention ( 3 months post-baseline ) and at the 9-month follow-up period . Results : At post-intervention , a positive association was found between increases in leisure-time physical activity and total walking physical activity and a decrease in depressive symptomatology ( within the non-depressed range of the GDS-15 ) and an increase in perceived mental health functioning , regardless of intervention allocation . These improvements were also evident at the follow-up period for participants in both intervention allocation groups . Conclusion : Our findings suggest that the st and ard time-based Green Prescription and a modified pedometer-based Green Prescription are both effective in maintaining and improving mental health in non-depressed , previously low-active older adults
The results suggest that the use of a pedometer is associated with significant increases in physical activity and significant decreases in body mass index and blood pressure .
CONTEXT Without detailed evidence of their effectiveness , pedometers have recently become popular as a tool for motivating physical activity .
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of pedometer use with physical activity and health outcomes among outpatient adults .