[Use of a pedometer in physically inactive persons].
BACKGROUND
Pedometers have been intensively marketed in recent years. This article questions whether there is scientific basis for the claim that use of a pedometer promotes an increase in physical activity or has other beneficial health effects in people who have either type 2 diabetes (T2DM), are physically inactive or overweight.


METHODS
Publications on the use of a pedometer were retrieved from the PubMed-database with the terms "pedometer AND (diabetes OR physical inactivity)". Only controlled studies have been included.


RESULTS
Most studies with a pedometer also include other measures to increase physical activity. Results from such studies cannot be attributed to the use of pedometer per se. Only four studies have been designed to test the effects of a pedometer on increase of physical activity. Two studies with short duration (nine and 12 weeks) and a high dropout rate (53 % and 26 %) showed uncertain effect of pedometer use. In two randomized trials of six months duration, no additional effect of a pedometer was found when the pedometer group and the control group both were coached and counselled to increase physical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of a pedometer is shown to have little additional effect in controlled studies designed to increase physical activity in persons that were physically inactive, obese or had type 2 diabetes. Regular counselling to increase physical activity has moderately beneficial health effects.
Bjørgaas
Marit Rokne
MR
Avdeling for endokrinologi Medisinsk klinikk St. Olavs Hospital 7006 Trondheim. marit.bjorgaas@ntnu.no
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology