The Effect After 12 Weeks of Having Received a Pedometer and a Pedometer Program on Physical Activity and Health

Physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases in addition to all-cause mortality. Hence for public health purposes, knowledge of effective interventions to increase the physical activity level in the population is important. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the effect 12 weeks after having received a pedometer and a pedometer program on physical activity, health measurements, self-rated health, stress, and sleep quality. A total of 223 men and 445 women were randomly assigned to either a pedometer group (n = 333) in which participants received a pedometer and pedometer program or a control group (n = 335). Of the participants included in the study 198 and 178 completed the health examination, and 192 and 187 completed the questionnaire at follow up in the pedometer group and in the control group, respectively.