An Exploratory Analysis of Adherence Patterns and Program Completion of a Pedometer-Based Physical Activity...

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Behavioral science
• Public health

Background:

• Examined participant characteristics influencing adherence and completion of a pedometer-based physical activity program.
• Included 177 participants (43 ± 9 years, BMI 29.5 ± 6.2 kg/m²).
• Baseline daily steps differed between sexes (women: 7230 ± 3447; men: 8265 ± 2849).

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors associated with successful completion of a workplace pedometer program.
• To understand how participant characteristics relate to program adherence.
• To inform future health promotion planning.

Main Methods:

• Collected data on pedometer use, goal achievement (days/week), and daily steps.
• Defined program completers as those meeting assessment and 8-week recording requirements.
• Compared characteristics between completers (n=104) and non-completers (n=53).

Main Results:

• No significant differences in sex, age, education, or tenure between completion groups.
• Lower initial worry about program completion predicted higher adherence.
• The program effectively increased physical activity in overweight and class I obese individuals.
• Participants with fewer baseline steps/day showed higher program completion rates.

Conclusions:

• Lower baseline physical activity levels and reduced initial apprehension are linked to better pedometer program adherence.
• Findings suggest tailoring health promotion strategies for diverse workplace populations.
• Pedometer interventions show promise for improving physical activity in specific BMI categories.