title: Using Pedometers to Increase the Non-Workday Steps of Hospital Nursing and Support Staff: A Pilot Study.
abstract: Nursing is a physically active profession; however, nurses and nursing support staff may limit their physical activity (PA) on non-workdays. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effects of a 12-week pedometer-based PA intervention on daily steps of hospital nursing and support staff from two departments, emergency (ED) and oncology (ONC). The 12-week minimal-contact, self-managed intervention was designed to increase total and non-workday PA. Twenty participants with an average age of 47.6 ± 7.1 years completed the intervention. Significant differences were found between total daily steps at baseline (8,446) and at 12 weeks (10,655; p = .014), and between workday steps at baseline (10,398) and at 12 weeks (13,056; p = 0.005). Oncology unit participants significantly increased their non-workday steps from baseline (5,850) to 12 weeks (9,829; p = .003). As part of a comprehensive intervention, pedometers can promote total and non-workday PA of nursing and support staff.
authors.affiliation: 1 Saint Joseph's College.
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Croteau
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: daily steps; non-workday steps; nurse; pedometer; physical activity