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 .
Increasing daily walking improves glucose tolerance in overweight women.
BACKGROUND Physical activity ( PA ) has been shown to benefit glucose tolerance . Walking is a convenient low-impact mode of PA and is reported to be the most commonly performed activity for those with diabetes . The purpose of this study was to determine whether a recommendation to accumulate 10,000 steps/day for 8 weeks was effective at improving glucose tolerance in overweight , inactive women . METHODS Eighteen women ( 53.3 + /- 7.0 years old , 35.0 + /- 5.1 kg/m(2 ) ) with a family history of type 2 diabetes completed a 4-week control period followed by an 8-week walking program with no changes in diet . The walking program provided a goal of accumulating at least 10,000 steps/day , monitored by a pedometer . RESULTS During the control period , participants walked 4972 steps/day . During the intervention period , the participants increased their accumulated steps/day by 85 % to 9213 , which result ed in beneficial changes in 2-h postload glucose levels ( P < 0.001 ) , AUC(glucose ) ( P = 0.025 ) , systolic blood pressure ( P < 0.001 ) , and diastolic blood pressure ( P = 0.002 ) . There were no changes in body mass , body fat percentage , and waist circumference during the walking intervention . CONCLUSIONS The 10,000 steps/day recommendation result ed in improved glucose tolerance and a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in overweight women at risk for type 2 diabetes . This demonstrates that activity can be accumulated throughout the day and does not have to result in weight loss to benefit this population
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 .