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Pedometers may not provide a positive effect on walking activity
Author(s) -
Butler Lyra,
Dwyer Dan
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he04134
Subject(s) - population health , physical activity , health economics , medicine , public health , physical medicine and rehabilitation , gerontology , physical therapy , environmental health , nursing
Issue addressed Several national campaigns promote walking and the use of a pedometer to monitor walking activity It is assumed that wearing a pedometer has a positive effect on walking activity and the likelihood of . attaining walking goals. There is no direct research evidence that feedback from pedometers has a positive effect on walking activity. The purpose of this pilot project was to examine the efficacy of feedback from a pedometer as an intervention to increase adherence to a walking program. Methods Thirty‐three participants aged 45 to 65 years volunteered to participate in a four‐week walking program. The participants were given a daily target for walking duration and step count. The W (Walk) group wore pedometers that had their step count display obscured, while the WF (Walk & Feedback) group were taught how to use the display. Results There was no significant difference in adherence (measured as step count) between the groups during the first two weeks or the second two weeks of the walking program, although self‐assessed walking activity two weeks after the end of the program indicated that adherence may have been higher in the WF group. The participants' knowledge that their walking activity was being monitored may have had an important effect on their walking activity. Conclusion Pedometer feedback had no influence on the amount of walking completed by the WF group. So what? These preliminary results suggest that pedometers may not necessarily have any positive effect on the walking activity of participants in a walking program.