Investigating Pedometers and Step Counters for Physical Activity Promotion

San Diego State University and University of California at San Diego: San Diego Prevention Research Center

Topics:
Nutrition & Physical Activity for Adults

This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of a walking program, using pedometers, designed to increase levels of moderate physical activity in underserved Latinos aged 21–55 years in the South Bay area of San Diego County, California. In the first part of the project, 75 participants will establish intensity categories for physical activity (light, moderate, and hard) during laboratory testing. From the data gathered during the laboratory testing, the researchers will express the categories as guidelines for pedometers and step counters for a walking program and then verify effectiveness in a field test. 165 participants at each of three neighborhood health centers will follow different step recommendation goals: 10,000 steps per day, 2,000 steps per day above regular number of steps per day goal, or a self-selected number of steps per day goal. The 12-week programs emphasize self-monitoring, goal-setting, and social support for walking facilitated by promotoras, lay health workers who live in the communities. Data will be collected on steps per day, minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, body mass index, and other measures before the program, at 12 weeks, and at 24 weeks to determine if pedometers and step counters are effective in increasing moderate physical activity.

 

Back to Research Projects