3 pp. / Pedometers are small devices worn at the hip to count the number of steps walked per day. Pedometers gained popularity as a tool for motivating and monitoring physical activity. The purpose of the publication was to provide basic mechanisms and functions of pedometers. Additionally, we provided information of new technology (cell phone and Google Maps) that are emerging as a tool for motivating physical activity.

Author's first name and surname: Bc. Eliška Svobodová Title of the master thesis: The Validation of czech version of 3DPAR questionnaire for adolescents Department: Department of Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine Supervisor: As. MUDr. Michal Procházka The year of presentation: 2013 Abstract: The aim of the study was to test the questionnaire of physical activity "3 Day Physical Activity Recall" and determine its reliability and validity. The research was accomplished by using pedometers Yamax SW 200 on a group of children from 15 to 17 years. The theoretical part of this thesis reviews the possibilities of monitoring the physical activity of youth by subjective and objective methods with some examples of studies already carried out. The results were statistically processed and described. Keywords: physical activity, 3DPAR questionnaire, pedometer I agree the thesis paper to be lent within the library service.

Physical inactivity is a significant issue in the United States that has been linked to multiple health concerns. Few studies have used behavioral interventions during opportunities available in school, such as recess. There is a need for low effort and accessible interventions to increase children’s physical activity during these opportunities. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of a peer-implemented recess intervention that uses student pairing and feedback to increase physical activity. Step count was recorded by a pedometer. Peer leaders were trained in a group using behavioral skills training. A new leader performed the task-analyzed duties each week of intervention. An ABAB reversal design was used to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention. The results were mixed across the participants, but generally this study did not achieve experimental control in an ABAB design.

Rationale Within Australia, cardiac rehabilitation attendance is poor, with typically thirty percent of eligible patients attending programs. The majority of cardiac patients are not receiving the support or detailed information required to increase physical activity participation after hospitalisation. Further, many cardiac patients are not exercising independently, regardless of their attendance at cardiac rehabilitation. As physical activity is important in the prevention and treatment of heart disease, there could be substantial benefits to the individual and cost savings for the health system if cardiac patients were more active. Physical activity interventions based on social cognitive theory have demonstrated success in improving physical activity among people with chronic diseases. However, there is little research conducted with cardiac patients, in particular, with those who do not attend cardiac rehabilitation. This research addresses this gap in public health practice by providing an intervention to cardiac patients, irrespective of their attendance at cardiac rehabilitation, thereby addressing a population that is often overlooked and hard to reach. Research aims ?? To determine the uptake rate of cardiac rehabilitation in the north Illawarra and Shoalhaven areas of New South Wales and identify the characteristics of cardiac rehabilitation attendees and non attendees. ?? To evaluate the efficacy of a pedometer based physical activity intervention in cardiac patients referred to cardiac rehabilitation. Methodology This thesis consisted of three related studies: a cross sectional analysis of the characteristics of cardiac rehabilitation referrals (n = 944) over a 10 month period; and two randomised controlled trials conducted simultaneously. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Trial participants (n = 110) were patients who had attended cardiac rehabilitation; Community Trial participants (n = 215) were those who did not attend cardiac rehabilitation. The six week intervention evaluated in the trials included self monitoring of daily physical activity using a pedometer and step calendar, and two behavioural counselling and goal setting sessions delivered via telephone. Additional support for intervention group participants was provided through two brief telephone calls made after the six week intervention period. Self reported physical activity levels were collected at baseline, six weeks and six months. The questionnaire also collected information about psychosocial factors affecting physical activity participation. The exercise capacity of the participants in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Trial was objectively measured at baseline, six weeks and six months using a gas exchange analysis system. Results The cardiac rehabilitation uptake rate was 28.8 per cent of referred patients. Cardiac rehabilitation attendees were significantly younger and more likely to have had a coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedure than non attendees. Study groups in both trials were not significantly different at baseline. In the Cardiac Rehabilitation Trial, improvements in total weekly physical activity sessions (p=0.002), walking time (p=0.013) and walking sessions (p<0.001) in the intervention group were significantly greater than the change in the control group at the end of the six week intervention. At six months, improvements in the intervention group remained significantly greater than the control group in total physical activity time (p=0.044), total physical activity sessions (p=0.016) and walking sessions (p=0.035) after adjusting for baseline differences. These self reported behavioural changes were corroborated by improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness at six months in the intervention group (p=0.010). Improvements in the intervention group in behavioural (p=0.039) and cognitive (p=0.024) self management strategy use were significantly greater than the controls at six weeks after adjusting for baseline differences. The improvement in cognitive strategy use (p=0.001) remained significantly greater in the intervention group compared to controls at six months after adjusting for baseline differences. Self efficacy, outcome expectancies and psychological distress were not significantly different between groups at six weeks or six months after adjusting for baseline differences. In the Community Trial, improvements in total weekly physical activity time (p=0.027), total physical activity sessions (p=0.003), walking time (p=0.013) and walking sessions (p=0.002) in the intervention group were significantly greater than the control group at six weeks after adjusting for baseline differences. At six months, improvements in total physical activity time (p=0.015), total physical activity sessions (p=0.019), walking time (p=0.002) and walking sessions (p=0.026) in the intervention group remained significantly greater than the control group after adjusting for baseline differences. Improvements in outcome expectancies (p=0.038) and cognitive self management strategy use (p=0.028) in the intervention group were significantly greater than the change in the control group at six weeks, after adjusting for baseline differences. However, these differences did not remain significant at six months. Conclusion This research showed that participation in a six week pedometer based intervention significantly increased the physical activity level and psychosocial status of people with heart disease. These findings suggest the pedometer based intervention could be offered as an effective and accessible option for those who do not attend cardiac rehabilitation to increase their physical activity levels. This intervention could also be promoted as an important adjunct to existing cardiac rehabilitation programs to promote adherence to physical activity after cardiac rehabilitation attendance. These studies provide community based evidence of an effective physical activity intervention for those eligible for cardiac rehabilitation, including those who do not attend. This provides a public health approach to cardiac rehabilitation programs and has the potential to improve health outcomes in this population.

This dissertation investigated 1) the energy expenditure of stepping in place during TV commercials (commercial stepping), 2) determined the best objective tool to measure commercial stepping, 3) and assessed the efficacy of commercial stepping to increase the activity levels of sedentary, overweight adults. First, twenty-three adults (normal to obese) had their energy expenditure measured while at rest, sitting, standing, stepping in place and walking at 3.0 mph on the treadmill, followed by one hour each of sedentary TV viewing and commercial stepping in the laboratory. Stepping in place, walking at 3.0 mph, and commercial stepping, had a higher caloric requirement than either rest, or sedentary TV viewing. One hour of commercial stepping resulted in an average of 2111 actual steps. The waist mounted Digiwalker and New Lifestyles pedometers counted 72% and 80% of steps, while the ankle mounted Omron and Stepwatch counted 100% and 98% of actual steps respectively. Having established commercial stepping as a moderate intensity-measurable activity, eleven adults, participated in a 3-week pilot study to investigate the effects of commercial stepping at home (one week baseline, followed by two weeks commercial stepping across ≥90 min/day of TV watching). Compared to baseline, adults took more steps when watching TV, and watched 34% less TV during the 2nd two weeks. In the free-living environment, the StepWatch counted significantly more steps than the Omron pedometers (ankle and waist). Thirdly, this study compares two physical activity prescriptions: 1) commercial stepping across ≥90 min/day of TV watching; and 2) walking ≥30 min/day in 58 sedentary overweight adults. Outcomes were daily steps, adherence, dietary intake, TV watching and weight after 12 wks in a behavioral intervention. Both groups adhered equally to their prescriptions, and daily steps significantly (P<0.05) increased (~3000 steps/day) from 0 to 12-wks, with no difference between groups. TV viewing was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in both groups. Despite a reduction (P<0.05) in self-reported dietary intake, there were no changes in weight in either group. Instructing people to step in place during 90 minutes of TV watching results in a change in daily steps roughly equivalent to encouraging people to walk 30 min/day.

Purpose: To determine the step count accuracy of three pedometers and one accelerometer in pregnant women during treadmill walking. Methods: Subjects were 30 women in the second or third trimester (20-36 weeks) who were screened for pregnancy-related risk factors. Each subject was fitted with a belt containing three physical activity monitors: Yamax Digiwalker SW-200 (DW), New Lifestyles NL 2000 (NL), and GT3X Actigraph accelerometer (ACT). The Omron HJ-720 (HJ) was placed in the pants pocket. Subjects walked at 54, 67, 80, and 94 m•min-1 for two minutes each. Actual steps were determined by an investigator using a hand-tally counter. Percentage of actual steps was calculated for each device at each speed and compared. Results: There was a significant interaction between speed and device (F9,20=7.574,P<0.001). At all speeds, the NL and HJ were most accurate. At 54 m•min-1, the DW was significantly less accurate (P<0.001) than all other devices and the ACT was significantly less accurate (P<0.001) than the NL and HJ. At 67 m•min-1, the ACT and DW were significantly less accurate (P<0.001) than the NL and HJ. At 80 m•min-1, the DW was significantly less accurate (P=0.024) than the NL and HJ. At 94 m•min-1, the ACT was significantly less accurate (P=0.001) than the NL and HJ. No significant differences were found at any speed for the NL (P=0.996) and HJ (P=0.298). Trimester did not significantly affect device accuracy. Conclusion: In pregnant women, the ACT and DW are less accurate than the NL and HJ. The HJ appeared to be the most accurate. These results can be useful in developing further research studies and physical activity programs that focus on walking during pregnancy.

A child’s level of physical activity is an important component of that child’s health. Our understanding of physical activity patterns in children is limited in rural settings, and virtually absent for climates with snow cover. Opportunities for physical activity intervention need to be identified. PURPOSE: Investigation of the relationships between pedometer-measured physical activity, body composition and aerobic performance in rural children in the winter and examination of within-day variation in stepping behavior using interval pedometry. METHODS: Aerobic performance (20 m shuttle run) with “talk test” validation and body composition (BMI, BF) were measured during mid-winter during the school year in 8 to 10 year old children. Pedometer step counts were recorded at 6 intervals throughout the day for 7 days. RESULTS: Fifty-six subjects (22 males and 34 females, mean age 9.09 (0.49), had the following measurements; BMI 17.9 (3.3), BF% 24.3 (9.5) (tricep/calf), 10,465 (±2506) steps/day, VO2 45.12 ml/kg/min (±2.87), shuttle run stage 3.0 (±1.34). Weekday steps/day (11,422 ±2573) were greater than weekend (8,112, ±3499) steps/day for both boys and girls (p<0.01). Town children recorded 1800 more steps/day than out of town children (p<0.01). All measures of body composition were found to be significantly related to aerobic power (p<0.01). Weekday steps were related to aerobic performance. The fittest (upper 1/3) children were leaner and had more afternoon school steps, and higher afternoon school step rates. CONCLUSION: Daily step counts were 2000-4000 steps lower than other studies and may be an impact of winter in Manitoba or the rural setting. This was consistent with overall low aerobic performance and higher adiposity of the children. Interval pedometry was capable of identifying differences in activity patterns between most and least fit children in rural Manitoba providing for targeted intervention strategies. / October 2006

The workplace is considered a strategic location for health promotion. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, office workers represent up to 40% of the workforce in Texas and the general nature of the type of work is sedentary. Additional study is needed on how the built environment near the worksite area impacts walking behaviors and to determine interventions effective in increasing walking as part of daily routines among office workers. The two aims of this dissertation were: 1) investigate the differences that urban and suburban settings may have on walking behavior (walk trips, walk duration, total step count) of office workers in Texas and 2) to examine the impact of a simple intervention in increasing walking within the respective land use settings. This study utilized on-line survey and travel diary, pedometer, and Geographic Information System to capture the study variables, which included personal, social and cultural, organizational, and built environmental factors. Results showed that urban office workers walk, on average, 600 steps more per day than the suburban office workers. Office workers in both land use settings on average have not met the recommended level of walking steps per day of 10,000 steps per day (Urban Mean=4,932 steps per day, Suburban Mean=4,347 steps per day). Post-intervention step count averaged 5,734 steps per day for urban office workers in contrast to 4,257 steps per day for suburban office workers. This translated to a 16% increase and 2% decrease in walking steps for urban and suburban office workers, respectively. The built environment in terms of land use setting, urban versus suburban, and availability of land use destinations showed associations with walking behavior for office workers. Destinations positively associated with the number of walking trips, including access to bookstores and coffee shops. Access to convenience stores and food establishments for suburban office workers were more relevant for walking duration. Significant destinations for the urban office workers' walking duration per week included the number of banks and food establishments within one fourth mile from their office building. The results for the second aim, testing the tailored information intervention, were informative, though not significant. The intervention did not yield a significant change in walking step count, but provided insight on opportunities for future studies.

Purpose: To determine the step count accuracy of three pedometers and one accelerometer in pregnant women during treadmill walking. Methods: Subjects were 30 women in the second or third trimester (20-36 weeks) who were screened for pregnancy-related risk factors. Each subject was fitted with a belt containing three physical activity monitors: Yamax Digiwalker SW-200 (DW), New Lifestyles NL 2000 (NL), and GT3X Actigraph accelerometer (ACT). The Omron HJ-720 (HJ) was placed in the pants pocket. Subjects walked at 54, 67, 80, and 94 m•min-1 for two minutes each. Actual steps were determined by an investigator using a hand-tally counter. Percentage of actual steps was calculated for each device at each speed and compared. Results: There was a significant interaction between speed and device (F9,20=7.574,P<0.001). At all speeds, the NL and HJ were most accurate. At 54 m•min-1, the DW was significantly less accurate (P<0.001) than all other devices and the ACT was significantly less accurate (P<0.001) than the NL and HJ. At 67 m•min-1, the ACT and DW were significantly less accurate (P<0.001) than the NL and HJ. At 80 m•min-1, the DW was significantly less accurate (P=0.024) than the NL and HJ. At 94 m•min-1, the ACT was significantly less accurate (P=0.001) than the NL and HJ. No significant differences were found at any speed for the NL (P=0.996) and HJ (P=0.298). Trimester did not significantly affect device accuracy. Conclusion: In pregnant women, the ACT and DW are less accurate than the NL and HJ. The HJ appeared to be the most accurate. These results can be useful in developing further research studies and physical activity programs that focus on walking during pregnancy.

Given the positive benefits of physical activity, workplaces have made many attempts to increase physical activity levels of sedentary employees, typically through the use of an exercise intervention. The main purpose of the present research was to investigate whether the simple act of supplying employees engaged primarily in sedentary office-type work, who were intent on becoming physically active, with a tool capable of measuring walking activity (a pedometer) would enhance their physical activity levels over an eight-week period. As predicted, those who received a pedometer reported a significant increase in physical activity from Time 1 to Time 2, while those who did not reported no change. Furthermore, changes in physical activity levels were found to be negatively correlated with perceived barriers to physical activity at Time 1 and also with changes in perceived barriers over the eight-week period. These findings offer a simple and cost-effective alternative to traditional exercise interventions and highlight the importance of reducing barriers to physical activity to increase success when implementing future physical activity initiatives. No relationships between changes to physical activity and life satisfaction, job satisfaction or work-related stress were found. Implications of these results and suggestions for future research are discussed.