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 .
Pedometers as a means to increase ambulatory activity for patients seen at a family medicine clinic.
Because of their frequent encounters with sedentary patients , family physicians are poised to be on the forefront of the medical community 's response to physical inactivity . The purpose of this pilot study was to examine whether the addition of a pedometer to brief physician counseling could help patients increase their ambulatory activity .  Ninety four participants recruited from a family medicine clinic were r and omly assigned to 2 groups . Both groups received a brief physician endorsement of regular physical activity , a h and out on the benefits of an active lifestyle , and 3 follow-up phone calls from a health educator . In addition , the intervention group received a pedometer and was instructed to record their steps daily over the 9-week study period . Measurements were taken for self-reported walking , walking stage-of-change , walking self-efficacy , and pedometer steps ( intervention group only ) . Among completers , mean daily step counts in the pedometer group rose from 6779 at baseline to 8855 at study end . Average individual improvement was 41 % over the study period . Both groups significantly increased blocks walked per day , stair climbing versus using the elevator , days per week walking > or = 30 minutes , and walking for fun/leisure . The frequency of walking short trips improved significantly more in the pedometer group relative to the comparison group . The results of this pilot study highlight the need for further research on the use of pedometers as a motivational tool in the context of medical encounters with inactive patients
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 .