title: Pedometer use in university freshmen: a randomized controlled pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe activity patterns associated with a pedometer intervention in university freshmen and compare the intervention participants to controls for several health outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six university freshmen were randomized to a group that wore a pedometer  across the academic year with a goal of 10,000 steps/day or to a control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pedometer counts were highest initially but decreased over the academic year. December presented the fewest counts. There was little difference between groups in fitness or body composition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consideration of high-risk months and recommended steps/day may be important to effectively use pedometers to influence some health outcomes in university freshmen.
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA. lecheminant@byu.edu
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: LeCheminant
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: N Kay
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Covington
authors.forename: Tracie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hardin-Renschen
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heden
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012107:Research Design; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult