The effect of pedometer use in combination with cognitive and behavioral support materials to promote physical activity

Abstract

Objective: 1. To demonstrate that combining pedometer use with cognitive and behavioral support materials has a positive effect on physical activity (PA) and attitudes towards pedometer use. 2. To investigate how familiar the study sample is with pedometers and the '10,000 steps/day' recommendation.

Methods: From a random sample, drawn from the phone book, 304 volunteered (18-75 year) to complete a questionnaire about familiarity with pedometers and the '10,000 steps/day' recommendation. A sample of 103 participants agreed to wear a pedometer for 3 weeks, and was randomly assigned to a condition with cognitive and behavioral support materials (n=51) or without these materials (n=52). Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire before and after 21 days of pedometer use and an additional questionnaire on the attitudes towards pedometer use.

Results: More than 58% had never heard of a pedometer. In both conditions, walking (F=10, p=0.002), moderate PA (F=11, p=0.001), and vigorous PA (F=14, p<0.001) increased over time, however no interaction effects could be found. Significantly more participants in the condition with support materials had a positive attitude towards pedometer use.

Conclusion: Wearing a pedometer, with or without support materials, may increase PA. In our study, cognitive and behavioral support materials only affected attitudes towards pedometer use.

Practice implications: More research is needed to investigate the effect of combining pedometer use with support materials on a longer time base and in less motivated people.