Strategies used to increase lifestyle physical activity in a pedometer-based intervention

The purpose of this study was to determine the self-selected strategies participants used to increase physical activity during an 8-week, pedometer-based lifestyle intervention. Participants were 34 employees of a small northeastern private college, with a mean age of 44.3 (+/- 9.3) years. The intervention consisted of a counseling session (goal setting, strategy selection), daily pedometer usage, and self-monitoring. Measures included height, weight, and pedometer-assessed ambulatory activity. Participants were placed in body mass index (BMI) and weekly physical activity improvement tertiles. BMI categories included normal weight (BMI 18.6-24.9), overweight (BMI 25-29.9), and obese (BMI > or =30). Weekly physical activity improvement categories included small/no improvement (<1%/wk), moderate improvement (1-5%/wk), and large improvement (>5%/wk). Data analysis consisted of descriptive and nonparametric inferential statistics (chi2). Participants in this study used 11 primary strategies on a regular basis to increase daily physical activity. The percentage of participants who used these strategies was as follows: walked to a meeting or work-related errand (64.7%), after work (50.0%), before work (35.3%), at lunch (47.1%), on the weekend (32.4%), while traveling (32.4%), with the dog (32.4%), or to a destination (work/store) (29.4%). Additionally, participants parked farther away (50%), used the stairs rather than an elevator (23.5%), and performed other cardiovascular activity (52.9%). Differences among BMI groups were found for the parking further strategy (p < 0.05), with obese participants using this strategy significantly more than overweight participants. No significant differences were found among weekly physical activity improvement groups. This study indicates that participants in a pedometer-based lifestyle physical activity intervention used a variety of strategies to increase daily physical activity.