Promoting Physical Activity among Sedentary Women Using Pedometers

Abstract

Sedentary women (n = 92) classified as low (L), medium (M), and high (H) in baseline step counts and assigned to 10,000-step goal (TSG) and personal step goal (PSG) groups (within levels) were compared on goal attainment and step counts. A significant interaction for goal attainment, F(2, 86) = 4.51, p = .014, indicated that the L group was significantly less likely to meet the TSG than the M and H groups. Step counts increased after goal assignment, but not more for one group than the other. Results of this research support the previous finding that women with low baseline step counts are unlikely to meet a TSG, but a TSG does not result in lower step counts than a PSG.

Effect of Baseline Self-Efficacy on Physical Activity and Psychological Stress after a One-Week Pedometer Intervention

“…Many long-term interventions (not less than 10 weeks) have been administered to patients with obesity (e.g., Schneider, Bassett, Thompson, Pronk, &Bielak, 2006), diabetes (e.g., Swartz, Strath, Bassett, Moore, Redwine, Groër, et al, 2003), and hypertension (e.g., Moreau, Degarmo, Langley, McMahon, Howley, Bassett, et al, 2001). On the other hand, most short interventions have been performed on healthy subjects, such as undergraduate students (e.g., D 'Alonzo, et al, 2004) and sedentary adults (e.g., Sidman, Corbin, & Le Masurier, 2004). Although it is known that even a short pedometer intervention has increased physical activity within one week (Spence, Burgess, Rodgers, & Murray, 2009), this may not have been long enough to increase physical activity in Low and Medium SE groups.…”

“…Although it is known that even a short pedometer intervention has increased physical activity within one week (Spence, Burgess, Rodgers, & Murray, 2009), this may not have been long enough to increase physical activity in Low and Medium SE groups. Previous short intervention studies (e.g., Sidman, et al, 2004;Hultquist, Albright, & Thompson, 2005;Koulouri, Tigbe, & Lean, 2006) with healthy adults showed that three-to four-week interventions using a pedometer increased step counts. A one-week consecutive intervention using a pedometer may improve physical activity only in people with high self-efficacy.…”

Women Bound to Be Active: A Pilot Study to Explore the Feasibility of an Intervention to Increase Physical Activity and Self-Worth in Women

“…Participants also discussed self-monitoring techniques (e.g., logging, goal setting, etc.) and which techniques were the most effective (Marcus, Forsyth, & Blair, 2003;Sidman, Corbin, & LeMasurier, 2004). Finally, women shared their self-reflection from their PA diaries with the group during these discussions.…”

“…By adding as little as 2,800 to 4,500 steps per day (above what was achieved in the intervention), 3-4 days a week, women who participated in WBA would increase their likelihood of meeting the current public health recommendations for PA (Jordan, Jurca, Tudor-Locke, & Church, 2005). Since the traditional recommendation of 10,000 steps per day (Hatano, 1993) has been criticized as an unreasonable goal for daily step counts of normally sedentary individuals (Sidman at al., 2004;LeMasurier, Sidman, & Corbin, 2003;Wilde, Sidman, & Corbin, 2001), the increase in their physical activity is significant given the baseline inactivity level of these women.…”

“…Digital pedometers (Walk4Life, Inc., Plainfield, Illinois), were used to monitor PA objectively every day for seven months (Sallis, Haskell & Wood, 1985;Sidman et al, 2004). Prior to use, participants were shown how to properly position the pedometers to ensure accuracy in measuring their PA.…”