Comparison between smartphone pedometer applications and traditional pedometers for improving physical activity and body mass index in community-dwelling older adults.
[Purpose] The effectiveness of a smartphone pedometer application was compared with that of a traditional pedometer for improving the physical activity and weight status of community-dwelling older adults. [Subjects and Methods] This study had a nonequivalent pretest-posttest control group design. Ninety-seven older adults (mean age ± SD, 60.1 ± 5.5 years) joined the smartphone pedometer group and underwent a 2-week walking intervention based on a smartphone pedometer application. Fifty-four older adults (mean age ± SD, 65.3 ± 8.7 years) joined the traditional pedometer group and underwent a 2-week walking intervention based on a traditional pedometer. The participants' physical activity was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, and their weight status was quantified by calculating the body mass index. The daily pedometer count was also documented. [Results] No significant time, group, or time-by-group interaction effects were found for any of the outcome variables. However, trends of improvement in physical activity and body mass index were seen only in the smartphone pedometer group. [Conclusion] A smartphone pedometer application might be more favorable than a traditional pedometer in improving physical activity and body mass index in community-dwelling older adults. However, further experimental studies are necessary to confirm the results.
Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Shirley S M
SS
Fong
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
Shamay S M
SS
Ng
Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Yoyo T Y
YT
Cheng
Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Joni
J
Zhang
Department of Health and Physical Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong.
Louisa M Y
LM
Chung
Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong.
Gary C C
GC
Chow
Elderly Core Business, Hong Kong Christian Service, Hong Kong.
Yvonne T C
YT
Chak
Bliss District Elderly Community Centre, Active Ageing Service, Hong Kong Christian Service, Hong Kong.
Ivy K Y
IK
Chan
Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Duncan J
DJ
Macfarlane
Elderly; Mobile technology; Walking