title: Motivational Aspects and Critical Issues of a Pedometer Intervention in Adolescents.
abstract: Existing research shows significant effects of pedometer interventions on students' physical activity (PA). The current study investigates motivational aspects of quantitative increases in PA in the course of a school-based pedometer intervention for adolescents using qualitative data analysis. In addition, critical issues regarding pedometer use in adolescence were examined.
  
  
  
  Data were obtained in the "läuft." evaluation trial. Students of the intervention group received pedometers and took part in class competitions over a time period of 12 weeks. Qualitative data were collected through focus groups (n = 34) with students of the intervention group as well as through in-depth interviews with teachers (n = 33) who implemented the intervention. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze qualitative data.
  
  
  
  Five major motivational aspects for subsequent increases in PA were examined among students participating in the "läuft." PA program issues: (1) affordance of the pedometer, (2) awareness of the own PA, (3) self-determination with regard to time and type of PA, (4) individual goal setting, and (5) social comparison and competition.
  
  
  
  Findings provide a deeper understanding of which aspects of pedometer interventions might be especially important in adolescence and help design effective future interventions for the promotion of PA.
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute for Therapy and Health Research (IFT-Nord), Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Vivien
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Suchert
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Steinvoord
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute for Therapy and Health Research (IFT-Nord), Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Isensee
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krieger
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D000293:Adolescent; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013334:Students
keywords: mixed-methods study; physical activity; school-based intervention; youth