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Stepping up - pedometers encourage walking6 December 2007
Using a pedometer increases how much exercise you do and is linked with a fall in body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure, US research indicates. The findings, published in respected science journal JAMA, suggest that the simple act of wearing a pedometer - which counts how far you walk throughout your day - encourages physical activity. Researchers from Stanford University in California analysed data from 26 studies investigating physical activity programmes in over 2700 volunteers. They found that volunteers using a pedometer walked about two thousand steps - one mile - more a day than pedestrians who weren't keeping track of their distance. The team also found that BMI and blood pressure fell significantly in participants using pedometers. Setting a step goal and keeping a step diary was a key motivational factor - volunteers who didn't have a goal didn't walk further. On average, the studies lasted 18 weeks; the researchers note that they don't know the effect of pedometers in the long term. "Our results suggest that the use of these small, relatively inexpensive devices is associated with significant increases in physical activity and improvements in some key health outcomes, at least in the short term" commented lead researcher Dena Bravata. Related information
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