OBJECTIVE To examine whether wearing a pedometer was associated with higher objectively-measured physical activity (PA) among adolescents independent of other behavior change strategies, and whether this association differed by sex or day of wear. METHOD In a parallel-group population-based cohort study, 892 adolescents (43.4% male, mean±SD age, 14.5±0.5years) from Eastern England were recrui...

To compare the effects of a pedometer-based behavioral intervention (Fitness for Life [FFL] program) and a traditional high-intensity fitness (TRAD) program on physical activity (PA), Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), and coronary heart disease risk factors in Army National Guard members who failed the APFT 2-mile run. From a pool of 261 Army National Guard, a total of 156 were randomized to T...

This study examined sources of variability in physical activity (PA) of youth with developmental disabilities (DD), and determined the optimal number of days required for monitoring PA. Sixteen youth with DD wore two pedometers and two accelerometers for 9 days, including 5 weekdays (W) and 2 weekends (WK). A two-facet in fully crossed two-way ANOVAs were employed to estimate sources of variabi...

BACKGROUND Low physical activity (PA) levels are associated with poor health risk factor profiles. Intervention strategies to increase PA and quantify the rate and magnitude of change in risk factors are important. METHODS Interventions were conducted over 40 days to increase PA in 736 insufficiently active (<150 min/wk PA) participants using either a pedometer or instructor-led group protoco...

The purpose of this review is to update expected values for pedometer-determined physical activity in free-living healthy older populations. A search of the literature published since 2001 began with a keyword (pedometer, "step counter," "step activity monitor" or "accelerometer AND steps/day") search of PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), SportDiscus, and P...

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) has positive effects on physical, psychological and social health in the individual and the community. Reduced PA is a major global problem that is increasing in prevalence every day. The present study aimed to determine the status of PA among adolescent girls and their perceptions of obesity prevention. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive-a...

OBJECTIVE To investigate in prepubertal children whether physical fitness and/or physical activity are: 1) associated with insulin secretion and sensitivity and 2) account for racial differences in insulin secretion and sensitivity. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES Subjects included 34 African American and 34 white nondiabetic children aged 5 to 11 years. Data were divided into two sets accord...