Pedometer use increases daily steps and functional status in older adults.

Objective: The benefits of increased physical activity in adults of any age are many. It is hypothesized that wearing a pedometer can motivate older adults to increase and sustain a higher level of ambulatory activity and improve measures of functional status.

Design: A prospective observational walking program using pedometers, goal orientation, and educational materials. Participants were given pedometers with the screen covered to measure baseline steps. The pedometer screen was then uncovered for 4 weeks and participants encouraged to increase daily steps by 5% weekly. The pedometers were removed for 2 weeks and then returned with the screen covered to measure maintenance of activity.

Setting: Six senior-living facilities in the Saint Louis area.

Participants: A total of 36 ambulatory adults aged 65 or older.

Measurements: The primary outcome measurement was average daily steps. Secondary outcomes included scores on the "Timed Up and Go," Tinetti Gait and Balance Evaluation, functional reach, 2-minute walking distance, 30-second leg-lift repetitions, grip strength, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and Quality of Life Scale.

Results: The average number of daily steps increased from 2992 to 3670 over a 4-week period, a 22.7% increase (P = .035). The average daily steps were not sustained once the pedometer was removed for 2 weeks. The Timed Up and Go decreased from 12.1 to 11.2 seconds (P = .014), 30-second leg lifts increased from 22.7 to 26.3 repetitions (P < .001), and 2-minute walking distance improved from 313.7 to 330.3 feet (P = .014) at study completion. No improvement was seen in grip strength, functional reach, GDS, or quality of life.

Conclusion: Pedometers are a successful motivational tool to increase ambulatory activity in older adults with a secondary benefit in functional status measures.