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 .
Effect of the Self-Monitoring Approach on Exercise Maintenance During Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Izawa KP , Watanabe S , Omiya K , Hirano Y , Oka K , Osada N , Iijima S : Effect of the self-monitoring approach on exercise maintenance during cardiac rehabilitation : A r and omized , controlled trial . Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2005;84:313–321 . Objective : To evaluate the effect of the self-monitoring approach ( SMA ) on self-efficacy for physical activity ( SEPA ) , exercise maintenance , and objective physical activity level over a 6-mo period after a supervised 6-mo cardiac rehabilitation ( CR ) program . Design : We conducted a r and omized , controlled trial with 45 myocardial infa rct ion patients ( 38 men , seven women ; mean age , 64.2 yrs ) recruited after completion of an acute-phase , exercise-based CR program .  Patients were r and omly assigned to an SMA group ( n = 24 ) or control group ( n = 21 ) . Along with CR , the subjects in the SMA group self-monitored their weight and physical activity for 6 mos . The SMA used in this study was based on B and ura ’s self-efficacy theory and was design ed to enhance confidence for exercise maintenance . The control group participated in CR only . All patients were evaluated with the SEPA assessment tool . Exercise maintenance , SEPA scores , and objective physical activity ( average steps per week ) as a caloric expenditure were assessed at baseline and during a 6-mo period after the supervised CR program . Results : Mean period from myocardial infa rct ion onset did not differ significantly between the SMA and control groups ( 12.1 ± 1.3 vs. 12.2 ± 1.2 mos , P = 0.692 ) . All patients maintained their exercise routine in the SMA group . Mean SEPA score ( 90.5 vs. 72.7 points , P < 0.001 ) and mean objective physical activity ( 10,458.7 vs. 6922.5 steps/wk , P < 0.001 ) at 12 mos after myocardial infa rct ion onset were significantly higher in the SMA than control group . SEPA showed significant positive correlation with objective physical activity ( r = 0.642 , P < 0.001 ) . Conclusions : SMA during supervised CR may effectively increase exercise maintenance , SEPA , and objective physical activity at 12 mos after myocardial infa rct ion onset
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 .