Effectiveness of pedometer-based walking program to improve physical activity of workers in a software industry: An experimental study

• Published in: International journal of preventive medicine 2019-01, Vol.10 (1), p.49-49
• Main Authors: Mathew, Varna, Akkilagunta, Sujiv, Kumar, Dinesh, Lakshminarayanan, Subitha, Kar, Sitanshu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computer programs; Employees; Exercise; Feedback; fitness tracker; Goal setting; Health promotion; Intervention; ISO standards; Meat processing; Mobile communications networks; Occupational health; Original; Physical activity; Questionnaires; Random sampling; Software; Statistical sampling; Studies; Walking; workplace
• ISSN: 2008-7802; 2008-8213
• DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_378_17

Background: Workplace acts as an efficient target for health promotion activities. Pedometer can act as a motivator and monitor of physical activity. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of pedometer usage in increasing physical activity and the level of adherence among employees of a software company in Puducherry. Methods: An interventional study was conducted with a prepost design. A single group of software company employees (n = 46), age ≥30 years selected by simple random sampling, was included in the study. Intervention consisted of health education program on physical activity, goal setting, and instructions regarding the use of pedometers for 1 week. Physical activity levels were measured at baseline and endline using global physical activity questionnaire. Results: Out of the 46 participants, 93% of the participants used the pedometer for at least 6 days. The difference between maximum observed step count during the week (median 9834 steps) and at baseline (6963 steps) was significant. Overall, 93.5% found pedometers to be useful for improving physical activity. Proportion of individuals with adequate physical activity based on Metabolic equivalents (MET) minutes increased from 41.3% (n = 19) at baseline to 69.6% at endline (n = 32) (P = 0.004). Conclusions: This study shows that a pedometer-driven walking intervention in the workplace setting is feasible and effective in increasing physical activity over a short term. Further research is required to test the effect of supportive strategies and long-term effectiveness of pedometer use.