scholarly journals Should All Steps Count When Using a Pedometer as a Measure of Physical Activity in Older Adults?

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison L. Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Feedback Condition ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Daily Step Count ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Clinically Significant

Purpose:The aim of this study was to determine if feedback on step counts from a pedometer encourages participants to increase walking.Methods:Randomly recruited older adults (n = 105) were asked to wear a pedometer for 2 wk. Half the participants were asked to monitor and record daily step counts during week 1 (feedback), then seal the pedometer shut during week 2 (no feedback). Half completed the study in reverse order. Self-reported walking was assessed via telephone interviews.Results:Significantly more steps were recorded per day (approximately 400 steps per day) when participants (n = 103, 63% women; mean BMI 25 ± 4) monitored their daily step count [t (102) = –2.30, P = 0.02)] compared to the no feedback condition. There was no statistically significant difference in self-reported walking (P = 0.31) between feedback conditions.Conclusion:The difference in daily step counts observed between conditions, while statistically significant, may not be considered clinically significant. Further, the non-significant difference in self-reported walking between conditions suggests that feedback on daily step counts from a pedometer does not encourage participants to increase their walking.

scholarly journals Adding team-based financial incentives to the Carrot Rewards physical activity app increases daily step count on a population scale: a 24-week matched case control study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Pearson ◽  
Harry Prapavessis ◽  
Christopher Higgins ◽  
Robert Petrella ◽  
Lauren White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Step Count ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Daily Step Count ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) targeting physical inactivity have increased in popularity yet are usually limited by low engagement. This study examined the impact of adding team-based incentives (Step Together Challenges, STCs) to an existing mHealth app (Carrot Rewards) that rewarded individual physical activity achievements. Methods A 24-week quasi-experimental study (retrospective matched pairs design) was conducted in three Canadian provinces (pre-intervention: weeks 1–12; intervention: weeks 13–24). Participants who used Carrot Rewards and STCs (experimental group) were matched with those who used Carrot Rewards only (controls) on age, gender, province and baseline mean daily step count (±500 steps/d). Carrot Rewards users earned individual-level incentives (worth $0.04 CAD) each day they reached a personalized daily step goal. With a single partner, STC users could earn team incentives ($0.40 CAD) for collaboratively reaching individual daily step goals 10 times in seven days (e.g., Partner A completes four goals and Partner B completes six goals in a week). Results The main analysis included 61,170 users (mean age = 32 yrs.; % female = 64). Controlling for pre-intervention mean daily step count, a significant difference in intervention mean daily step count favoured the experimental group (p < 0.0001; ηp2 = 0.024). The estimated marginal mean group difference was 537 steps per day, or 3759 steps per week (about 40 walking min/wk). Linear regression suggested a dose-response relationship between the number of STCs completed (app engagement) and intervention mean daily step count (adjusted R2 = 0.699) with each new STC corresponding to approximately 200 more steps per day. Conclusion Despite an explosion of physical activity app interest, low engagement leading to small or no effects remains an industry hallmark. In this paper, we found that adding modest team-based incentives to the Carrot Rewards app increased mean daily step count, and importantly, app engagement moderated this effect. Others should consider novel small-teams based approaches to boost engagement and effects.

scholarly journals Association of daily step count and serum testosterone among men in the United States

Endocrine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Del Giudice ◽  
Frank Glover ◽  
Federico Belladelli ◽  
Ettore De Berardinis ◽  
Alessandro Sciarra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Threshold Effect ◽  
The United States ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Intensity Measures ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
Daily Step Count ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Social Demographic

Abstract Purpose To describe the association between daily activity (i.e., daily step counts and accelerometer intensity measures) and serum TT levels in a representative sample of US adults aged 18 years or older. Methods A retrospective cohort study was carried out utilizing the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) 2003–2004 cycle. Physical activity was measured with a waist-worn uniaxial accelerometer (AM-7164; ActiGraph) for up to 7 days using a standardized protocol. Using linear and multivariable logistic regression controlling for relevant social, demographic, lifestyle, and comorbidity characteristics, we assessed the association between daily step counts and TT. Results A total of 279 subjects with a median age 46 (IQR: 33–56) were included in the analysis. 23.3% of the cohort had a low serum TT level (TT < 350 ng/dl). Compared to men who took <4000 steps per day, men who took >4000 or >8000 steps/day had a lower odd of being hypogonadal (OR 0.14, 95% CI: 0.07–0.49 and 0.08, 95%CI: 0.02–0.44, respectively). While a threshold effect was noted on average, TT increased 7 ng/dL for each additional 1000 steps taken daily (β-estimate: 0.007, 95% CI: 0.002–0.013). Conclusions Patients with the lowest daily step counts had higher odds of being hypogonadal. The current work supports a possible association between daily steps, total testosterone, and hypogonadism for men in the US.

scholarly journals Adding Team-Based Financial Incentives to the Carrot Rewards App Increases Daily Step Count on a Population Scale: A 24-Week Matched Pairs Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Pearson ◽  
Harry Prapavessis ◽  
Christopher Higgins ◽  
Robert Petrella ◽  
Lauren White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Step Count ◽  
Matched Pairs ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Daily Step Count ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) targeting physical inactivity have increased in popularity yet are usually limited by low engagement. This study examined the impact of adding team-based incentives (Step Together Challenges, STCs) to an existing mHealth app (Carrot Rewards) that rewarded individual physical activity achievements. Methods A 24-week quasi-experimental study (retrospective matched pairs design) was conducted in three Canadian provinces (pre-intervention: weeks 1–12; intervention: weeks 13–24). Participants who used Carrot Rewards and STCs (experimental group) were matched with those who used Carrot Rewards only (controls) on age, gender, province and baseline mean daily step count (± 500 steps/d). Carrot Rewards users earned individual-level incentives (worth $0.04 CAD) each day they reached a personalized daily step goal. With a single partner, STC users could earn team incentives ($0.40 CAD) for collaboratively reaching individual daily step goals 10 times in seven days (e.g., Partner A completes four goals and Partner B completes six goals in a week). Results The main analysis included 61,170 users (mean age = 32yrs; % female = 64). Controlling for pre-intervention mean daily step count, a significant difference in intervention mean daily step count favoured the experimental group (p < 0.0001; ηp2 = 0.024). The estimated marginal mean group difference was 537 steps per day, or 3759 steps per week (about 40 walking min/wk). Linear regression suggested a dose-response relationship between the number of STCs completed (app engagement) and intervention mean daily step count (adjusted R2 = 0.699) with each new STC corresponding to approximately 200 more steps per day. Conclusion Despite an explosion of physical activity app interest (100,000 + published apps), low engagement leading to small or no effects remains an industry hallmark. In this paper, we found that adding modest team-based incentives to the Carrot Rewards app increased mean daily step count, and importantly, app engagement moderated this effect. Others should consider novel small-teams based approaches to boost engagement and effects.

scholarly journals Adding team-based financial incentives to the Carrot Rewards physical activity app increases daily step count on a population scale: A 24-week matched case control study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Pearson ◽  
Harry Prapavessis ◽  
Christopher Higgins ◽  
Robert Petrella ◽  
Lauren White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Step Count ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Daily Step Count ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background: Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) targeting physical inactivity have increased in popularity yet are usually limited by low engagement. This study examined the impact of adding team-based incentives (Step Together Challenges, STCs) to an existing mHealth app (Carrot Rewards) that rewarded individual physical activity achievements.Methods: A 24-week quasi-experimental study (retrospective matched pairs design) was conducted in three Canadian provinces (pre-intervention: weeks 1-12; intervention: weeks 13-24). Participants who used Carrot Rewards and STCs (experimental group) were matched with those who used Carrot Rewards only (controls) on age, gender, province and baseline mean daily step count (±500 steps/d). Carrot Rewards users earned individual-level incentives (worth $0.04 CAD) each day they reached a personalized daily step goal. With a single partner, STC users could earn team incentives ($0.40 CAD) for collaboratively reaching individual daily step goals 10 times in seven days (e.g., Partner A completes four goals and Partner B completes six goals in a week).Results: The main analysis included 61,170 users (mean age=32yrs; % female=64). Controlling for pre-intervention mean daily step count, a significant difference in intervention mean daily step count favoured the experimental group (p<0.0001; ηp2=0.024). The estimated marginal mean group difference was 537 steps per day, or 3759 steps per week (about 40 walking min/wk). Linear regression suggested a dose-response relationship between the number of STCs completed (app engagement) and intervention mean daily step count (adjusted R2=0.699) with each new STC corresponding to approximately 200 more steps per day.Conclusion: Despite an explosion of physical activity app interest, low engagement leading to small or no effects remains an industry hallmark. In this paper, we found that adding modest team-based incentives to the Carrot Rewards app increased mean daily step count, and importantly, app engagement moderated this effect. Others should consider novel small-teams based approaches to boost engagement and effects.

scholarly journals Adding team-based financial incentives to the Carrot Rewards physical activity app increases daily step count on a population scale: A 24-week matched case control study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Pearson ◽  
Harry Prapavessis ◽  
Christopher Higgins ◽  
Robert Petrella ◽  
Lauren White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Step Count ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Daily Step Count ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background: Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) targeting physical inactivity have increased in popularity yet are usually limited by low engagement. This study examined the impact of adding team-based incentives (Step Together Challenges, STCs) to an existing mHealth app (Carrot Rewards) that rewarded individual physical activity achievements. Methods: A 24-week quasi-experimental study (retrospective matched pairs design) was conducted in three Canadian provinces (pre-intervention: weeks 1-12; intervention: weeks 13-24). Participants who used Carrot Rewards and STCs (experimental group) were matched with those who used Carrot Rewards only (controls) on age, gender, province and baseline mean daily step count (±500 steps/d). Carrot Rewards users earned individual-level incentives (worth $0.04 CAD) each day they reached a personalized daily step goal. With a single partner, STC users could earn team incentives ($0.40 CAD) for collaboratively reaching individual daily step goals 10 times in seven days (e.g., Partner A completes four goals and Partner B completes six goals in a week). Results: The main analysis included 61,170 users (mean age=32yrs; % female=64). Controlling for pre-intervention mean daily step count, a significant difference in intervention mean daily step count favoured the experimental group (p<0.0001; ηp2=0.024). The estimated marginal mean group difference was 537 steps per day, or 3759 steps per week (about 40 walking min/wk). Linear regression suggested a dose-response relationship between the number of STCs completed (app engagement) and intervention mean daily step count (adjusted R2=0.699) with each new STC corresponding to approximately 200 more steps per day. Conclusion: Despite an explosion of physical activity app interest, low engagement leading to small or no effects remains an industry hallmark. In this paper, we found that adding modest team-based incentives to the Carrot Rewards app increased mean daily step count, and importantly, app engagement moderated this effect. Others should consider novel small-teams based approaches to boost engagement and effects.

4971Blood viscosity and its relevance to the diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension: a new elephant in the cathlab

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Kempny ◽  
K Dimopoulos ◽  
A E Fraisse ◽  
G P Diller ◽  
L C Price ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Cardiac Catheterization ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Pulmonary Vasculature ◽  
Pulmonary Vascular Disease ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is an essential parameter assessed during cardiac catheterization. It is used to confirm pulmonary vascular disease, to assess response to targeted pulmonary hypertension (PH) therapy and to determine the possibility of surgery, such as closure of intra-cardiac shunt or transplantation. While PVR is believed to mainly reflect the properties of the pulmonary vasculature, it is also related to blood viscosity (BV). Objectives We aimed to assess the relationship between measured (mPVR) and viscosity-corrected PVR (cPVR) and its impact on clinical decision-making. Methods We assessed consecutive PH patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. BV was assessed using the Hutton method. Results We included 465 patients (56.6% female, median age 63y). The difference between mPVR and cPVR was highest in patients with abnormal Hb levels (anemic patients: 5.6 [3.4–8.0] vs 7.8Wood Units (WU) [5.1–11.9], P<0.001; patients with raised Hb: 10.8 [6.9–15.4] vs. 7.6WU [4.6–10.8], P<0.001, respectively). Overall, 33.3% patients had a clinically significant (>2.0WU) difference between mPVR and cPVR, and this was more pronounced in those with anemia (52.9%) or raised Hb (77.6%). In patients in the upper quartile for this difference, mPVR and cPVR differed by 4.0WU [3.4–5.2]. Adjustment of PVR required Conclusions We report, herewith, a clinically significant difference between mPVR and cPVR in a third of contemporary patients assessed for PH. This difference is most pronounced in patients with anemia, in whom mPVR significantly underestimates PVR, whereas in most patients with raised Hb, mPVR overestimates it. Our data suggest that routine adjustment for BV is necessary.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Creativity, and the Effects of Methylphenidate

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 816-819
Author(s):  
Jeanne B. Funk ◽  
John B. Chessare ◽  
Michael T. Weaver ◽  
Anita R. Exley
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Adhd Group ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Clinically Significant

Given that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more impulsive than peers, this study explored whether they are correspondingly more creative, and whether creativity declines when impulsivity is decreased through methylphenidate (Ritalin) therapy. A repeated-measures quasi-experimental design was used to compare the performance of 19 boys with previously diagnosed ADHD and 21 comparison boys aged 8 through 11 on two administrations of alternate forms of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking-Figural (nonverbal). Boys with ADHD received prescribed methylphenidate only for the first session. Overall, mean Torrance summary scores for comparison boys (mean = 115.1, SD = 16.1) were higher than for boys with ADHD (mean = 107.6, SD = 12.7). However, the difference between means was small (7%) and did not meet the 25% criterion for a clinically significant difference. No changes in performance over time (comparison group) or medication state (ADHD group) were observed. These data suggest that, when measured nonverbally, the creative thinking performance of boys with ADHD is not superior to that of peers who do not have ADHD. Regarding the effects of methylphenidate, prescribed therapy did not influence performance on this measure of creative thinking.

scholarly journals A Comparison Between Two Types of Radiographic Film for Accuracy of Measurements of Approximal Osseous Defects

2006 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 22-29
Author(s):  
Farah Masood ◽  
Christos Angelopoulos ◽  
Alan Glaros
Keyword(s):  
Bone Loss ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Radiographic Film ◽  
Radiographic Images ◽  
Accuracy Of Measurements ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Molar Teeth ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Osseous Defects

Abstract Aim The purpose of this study was to compare two types of conventional radiographic film: Ekta-speed plus and Insight (Eastman Kodak Co, Rochester NY, USA) for accuracy of measurements of approximal bone loss. Methods and Materials Four dried human mandibles with complete dentition were selected. Radiographic images were made with a standardized technique. Mesial and distal bone levels on the mandibular premolar and molar teeth were measured on the two types of radiographs (Ekta-speed plus and Insight) by nine observers. The data obtained by the observers were compared with the primary investigators’ corresponding measurements, which served as “the ground truth” for this study. Results The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated a significant difference for the Ektaspeed plus film (p = .001), but the difference was not clinically significant. The level of intra-rater reliability was high for the observers (0.969 to 0.990). Conclusion Performance of Ekta-speed plus and Insight films was found to be similar. Citation Masood F, Angelopoulos C, Glaros A. A Comparison Between Two Types of Radiographic Film for Accuracy of Measurements of Approximal Osseous Defects. J Contemp Dent Pract 2006 July;(7)3:022-029.

An Examination of the Activity Patterns of Elementary School Children

2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 432-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan D. Vincent ◽  
Robert P. Pangrazi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Factorial Anova ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
Meaningful Activity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Steps Per Day

Research has suggested a trend of decreasing activity with age necessitating a renewed emphasis on promoting physical activity for children. The purpose of this study was to assess current physical activity levels of children and to establish initial standards for comparison in determining appropriate activity levels of children based on pedometer counts. Children, 6–12 years old (N = 711), wore sealed pedometers for 4 consecutive days. Mean step counts ranged from 10,479–11,274 and 12300–13989 for girls and boys respectively. Factorial ANOVA found a significant difference between sex (F = 90.16, p < .01) but not among age (F = 0.78, p = .587). Great individual variability existed among children of the same sex. Further analysis found significant differences among children of the same sex above the 80th percentile and below the 20th percentile. A reasonable activity standard might be approximately 11,000 and 13,000 steps per day for girls and boys respectively, although further discussion of this is warranted. The descriptive nature of this study provides insights into the activity patterns of children and the mean step counts for boys and girls at each age can serve as a preliminary guide for determining meaningful activity levels for children based on pedometer counts.

scholarly journals Store Brand Purchase in the Italian Market

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 126
Author(s):  
Guido Cristini ◽  
Cristina Zerbini
Keyword(s):  
Brand Management ◽  
Store Brand ◽  
Product Evaluations ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Italian Market ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The paper analyzes the degree of importance of Store Brand purchase determinants for the consumer. In particular, the research focuses on two specific shopper segments (hypermarket shopper and supermarket shopper) in order to evaluate the existence of any significant differences between their product evaluations. Telephone interviews, based on a structured questionnaire, were conducted with a sample of consumers responsible for family purchases and buyers of Store Brand products. For the majority of the purchasing determinants investigated, the results show a significant difference in opinion between those buying Store Brand products in hypermarkets and those in supermarkets. The difference found between shopper profiles has significant managerial implications that could be useful for determining Store Brand management policies. This paper also contributes to the academic debate on the role of Store Brand in the retail market.

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