title: Comparison of two strategies using pedometers to counteract physical inactivity in smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This randomized crossover trial aimed to compare the effects of 2 different protocols using pedometers and informative booklets to increase physical activity in daily life (PADL) in smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  PADL level was assessed at baseline (A1), and subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups for a month: booklet + pedometer (GB + P; n = 13), which started the protocol receiving a booklet with encouragement to walk as much as possible in everyday life; pedometer + booklet (GP + B; n = 18), which started the protocol wearing a pedometer aiming to achieve 10,000 steps/day. PADL was reassessed (A2), and the interventions were crossed over for 1 month, followed by PADL reassessment (A3). After A3, both groups used pedometers for 3 months aiming to reach 10,000 steps/day, and final PADL assessment was performed (A4). For the analysis, each group was subdivided according to baseline PADL as physically active or inactive, according to having reached or not reached 10,000 steps/day at baseline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The physically active subgroups of GB + P and GP + B showed no change in steps/day. The physically inactive subgroup of GP + B significantly increased steps/day at A2 and maintained this increase until A4. The physically inactive subgroup of GB + P initially increased to a lesser extent, reaching borderline statistical significance at A2 and A3 (p = .06) and statistically significant increase only at A4 (p = .02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both strategies were effective in increasing the number of steps/day in physically inactive smokers after 5 months, although the increase was more quickly obtained in smokers who used pedometers as the first intervention.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Research in Respiratory Physiotherapy, Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zabatiero
authors.forename: Demetria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kovelis
authors.forename: Karina Couto
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Furlanetto
authors.forename: Leandro Cruz
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Mantoani
authors.forename: Mahara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Proença
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pitta
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D012907:Smoking; D016138:Walking