No significant changes in any other health outcomes were found in either group .
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 .
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 .
Promoting physical activity in a socially and economically deprived community: a 12 month randomized control trial of fitness assessment and exercise consultation
The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of a fitness assessment and exercise consultation on physical activity over 1 year in non-regularly active participants drawn from a socially and economically deprived community . Of 3000 people invited to volunteer for either intervention , 225 fitness assessment volunteers  were r and omly assigned to an experimental or control group ; 145 exercise consultation volunteers  were similarly assigned . Physical activity was measured at baseline , 4 weeks , 3 months ( plus an intervention re-test ) , 6 months and 1 year . Analysis of variance and follow-up Bonferroni analysis showed that , for those not regularly active at baseline , physical activity increased significantly to 4 weeks , was maintained to 6 months but had fallen by 1 year . Only those receiving an exercise consultation significantly increased their physical activity after 1 year . Compared with fitness assessment s , chi-square analysis showed that significantly more non-regularly active participants volunteered for an exercise consultation and those receiving an exercise consultation had significantly better long-term study adherence than those receiving a fitness assessment . The study also showed that , contrary to popular opinion , those in a socially and economically deprived community are not ' hard to reach ' and respond well to physical activity interventions
No significant changes in any other health outcomes were found in either group .
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 .
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 .