No significant changes in any other health outcomes were found in either group .
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 .
Pedometer indices for weekly physical activity recommendations in postmenopausal women.
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to quantify pedometer-determined steps per day associated with 50 , 100 , and 150 % of the current public health recommendation for weekly physical activity in sedentary postmenopausal women . METHODS A sample of 111 women from the DREW ( Dose Response to Exercise in Women ) study provided data . We r and omly assigned women into one of three exercise groups expending 4 , 8 , or 12 kcal(-1).kg(-1).wk(-1 ) ( KKW ) . Participants exercised alternately on a treadmill and recumbent cycle ergometer for a 6-month training period . Only treadmill sessions done with zero grade , at slow to moderate speeds ( 48 - 97 m.min(-1 ) ) were used in this analysis . We controlled intensity at a HR equivalent to 50 % of VO(2peak ) . Participants wore pedometers at baseline and throughout the study to assess their free-living physical activity ( steps.d(-1 ) ) RESULTS Baseline averages were < 5400 steps.d(-1 ) for the 4- , 8- , and 12-KKW groups . During 6 months of exercise training , free-living step counts remained < 5400 steps.d(-1 ) and did not significantly differ from baseline for each group . Average speeds and distances per exercise session were 2.7 + /- 0.4 mph , 1.2 + /- 0.2 miles ( 4 KKW ) , 2.6 + /- 0.4 mph , 2.2 + /- 0.4 miles ( 8 KKW ) , and 2.8 + /- 0.3 mph , 2.7 + /- 0.4 miles ( 12 KKW ) . This yielded 2771 ( 4 KKW ) , 5457 ( 8 KKW ) , and 6534 ( 12 KKW ) steps per exercise session 3 - 4 d.wk(-1 ) . CONCLUSIONS Initially sedentary postmenopausal women can meet 50 % ( 4 KKW ) , 100 % ( 8 KKW ) , and 150 % ( 12 KKW ) of the current public health recommendation of weekly physical activity through planned moderate-intensity walking , accumulating an average of about 2800 ( 50 % ) , 5500 ( 100 % ) , and 6500 steps.d(-1 ) ( 150 % ) 3 - 4 d.wk(-1 )
No significant changes in any other health outcomes were found in either group .
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 .