Using step cadence goals to increase moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity.
BACKGROUND
Increasing moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) is an important public health goal. Pedometers are evidence-based devices for increasing daily activity, but studies have not evaluated the comparative efficacy of step cadence goals for increasing MVPA.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of three pedometer-based step goals for increasing MVPA.


METHODS
Latina women (n = 180; 18-55 yr, mean body mass index = 31.1, SD = 6.5) were recruited to 12 community centers, which were randomly assigned to one of three conditions. Each group received an identical 12-wk theory-based physical activity (PA) intervention that differed only on the type of daily step goal: 1) a self-selected goal (SELF); 2) a goal of 10,000 steps per day (FREQUENCY); or 3) a goal of 3000 steps in 30 min (CADENCE). Accelerometer-based PA was measured at baseline and after 12 wk.


RESULTS
Adjusted multilevel pattern-mixture models using generalized estimating equations revealed that participants in the CADENCE condition engaged in similar levels of postintervention MVPA to those in the SELF and FREQUENCY goal conditions. However, MVPA of participants in the CADENCE condition was more likely to occur in bouts lasting greater than 10 consecutive minutes compared with the MVPA of participants in the SELF (P = 0.01) or FREQUENCY (P = 0001) conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
PA interventions should consider including a step cadence goal to help individuals accumulate bout-based MVPA and meet national PA guidelines.
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA. sjmarshall@ucsd.edu
Simon J
SJ
Marshall
Virginie
V
Nicaise
Ming
M
Ji
Carolina
C
Huerta
John
J
Haubenstricker
Susan S
SS
Levy
Barbara
B
Ainsworth
John E
JE
Elder
D061725:Accelerometry; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult