title: The effects of an incremental approach to 10,000 steps/day on metabolic syndrome components in sedentary overweight women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pedometer programs can increase physical activity in sedentary individuals, a population that is at risk for developing metabolic syndrome and each of its individual components. Although the popular 10,000 steps/day recommendation has shown to induce many favorable health benefits, it may be out of reach for sedentary individuals. This study observed the effects of incremental increases in steps/day on metabolic syndrome components in sedentary overweight women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a longitudinal, quasi-experimental design. Participants were recruited from a 12-week work-site pedometer program and grouped as either 'active' or 'control' after the intervention based on their steps/day improvement. Self-reported physical activity, pedometer assessed physical activity, BMI, resting heart rate, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL-C, and fasting glucose were measured before and after the program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The active group showed significant within-group improvements in waist circumference and fasting glucose. Significant group differences were observed in resting heart rate, BMI, and systolic blood pressure; however, the changes observed in systolic blood pressure were not independent of weight loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Incremental increases in steps/day induced favorable changes in some MetS components suggesting that this approach is a viable starting point for sedentary individuals that may find it difficult to initially accumulate 10,000 steps/day.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Wellness and Recreation, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Musto
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: DelRossi
authors.forename: Arlette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids