A systematic review 1 including 26 studies (8 RCTs and 18 observational studies) with a total of 2 767 subjects was abstracted in DARE. The mean age of the included participants was 49 years and the majority were female (85%). Most of the participants were overweight, normotensive, had relatively well-controlled serum lipid levels, and were relatively inactive at baseline (mean 7 473 steps per day). A significant increase in the number of steps per day was found in the intervention group compared with controls (mean difference in change 2 491, 95% CI 1 098 to 3 885; 8 RCTs, n=277). Statistical heterogeneity was found. The observational studies found that pedometer users increased their physical activity by 26.9%, with a significant increase in physical activity over baseline (2 183 steps per day; p<0.01). Meta-regression indicated that increases were associated with having a step goal, using a step diary, and having the intervention set in places other than the workplace. There was also a trend for younger pedometer users and those with less baseline activity to show the greatest increases in physical activity. Pedometer use significantly decreased the BMI (by 0.38 from baseline, p=0.03). systolic blood-pressure (by 3.8 mmHg, p<0.001) and diastolic blood-pressure (by 0.3 mmHg, p=0.001). Significant improvement of serum lipid levels or decrease of fasting serum glucose concentration was not found.
Primary/Secondary Keywords