Positive outcomes occurred in the short-term from interventions using approaches such as  exercise prescriptions , goal setting , feedback and problem-solving .
However , longer-term maintenance of exercise  was less successful .
Physical activity is recommended for people with stable heart failure ( HF ) , because it is known to improve quality of life and health outcomes .
However , adherence to this recommendation has been poor in many studies .
A systematic review was conducted to examine the effectiveness of strategies used to promote exercise adherence in those with HF .
Validity of pedometers for measuring exercise adherence in heart failure patients.
BACKGROUND Measuring adherence to exercise is important to clinicians and research ers because inadequate adherence can adversely affect the effectiveness of an exercise program and cloud the relationship between exercise and clinical outcomes . Hence , assessment strategies for adherence to exercise , as with assessment strategies for other outcomes , must have demonstrated validity if they are to be employed with confidence . We conducted this study to determine the validity of pedometers as a measure of exercise adherence to a home-based walking program in heart failure patients . METHODS AND RESULTS  Exercise adherence  was measured using pedometers in 38 patients ( 74 % men ) age 54.1 + /- 11.7 years who participated in a 12-month home-based walking program .  A comparison of functional status as measured by the 6-minute walk distance and peak oxygen uptake ( VO2 max ) at 6 months into the exercise training program was made between 2 groups of participants who were thought to represent adherers and nonadherers : participants who demonstrated > or = 10 % change in pedometer scores ( n = 20 ) and those who showed no change in pedometer scores ( n = 18 ) from baseline to 6 months . Patients who showed improvements in their pedometer scores over 6 months had better functional status at 6 months ( 6-minute walk distance 1718 + /- 46 versus 1012 + /- 25 meters , F = 5.699 , P = .022 ; VO 2 max 17 + /- 0.7 versus 10 + /- 0.5 units , F = 7.162 , P = .011 ) when compared with patients whose pedometers reflected minimal change in distance walked ( ie , < or = 10 % ) . CONCLUSION Pedometers are inexpensive and readily available to both clinicians and research ers . The results of this study suggest that they may be a valid indicator of exercise adherence in heart failure patients who participate in a home-based walking program
Positive outcomes occurred in the short-term from interventions using approaches such as  exercise prescriptions , goal setting , feedback and problem-solving .
However , longer-term maintenance of exercise  was less successful .
Physical activity is recommended for people with stable heart failure ( HF ) , because it is known to improve quality of life and health outcomes .
However , adherence to this recommendation has been poor in many studies .
A systematic review was conducted to examine the effectiveness of strategies used to promote exercise adherence in those with HF .