Should all steps count when using a pedometer as a measure of physical activity in older adults?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine if feedback on step counts from a pedometer encourages participants to increase walking.


METHODS
Randomly recruited older adults (n = 105) were asked to wear a pedometer for 2 wk. Half the participants were asked to monitor and record daily step counts during week 1 (feedback), then seal the pedometer shut during week 2 (no feedback). Half completed the study in reverse order. Self-reported walking was assessed via telephone interviews.


RESULTS
Significantly more steps were recorded per day (approximately 400 steps per day) when participants (n = 103, 63% women; mean BMI 25 +/- 4) monitored their daily step count [t(102) = -2.30, P = 0.02)] compared to the no feedback condition. There was no statistically significant difference in self-reported walking (P = 0.31) between feedback conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
The difference in daily step counts observed between conditions, while statistically significant, may not be considered clinically significant. Further, the non-significant difference in self-reported walking between conditions suggests that feedback on daily step counts from a pedometer does not encourage participants to increase their walking.
Marshall
Alison L
AL
School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Australia.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005246:Feedback / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*