People who use a pedometer to measure how far they walk lose more weight, exercise more and have lower blood pressure than those who do not, researchers said on Tuesday.
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It was not clear from the study, the first to review most previously published research on pedometer use, whether those who use the devices are more motivated in the first place, just benefit from the assistance, or both.
Many pedometer-related programs recommend users set daily goals for themselves, such as 10,000 steps or about 5 miles (8 km).
Dr. Dena Bravata and colleagues at Stanford University in California reviewed 26 earlier studies covering 2,767 people, with an average age of 49.
It found that pedometer users took more than 2,000 extra steps a day compared to those who did not use the devices, and that having a goal of reaching a certain number of steps was a significant factor.
Those using the devices, which are worn on the hip, also lost weight as measured by body mass index, and significantly reduced their systolic blood pressure -- the top number in blood pressure readings, which indicates the maximum pressure of a contracting heart.
"Our results suggest that the use of these small, relatively inexpensive devices is associated with significant increases in physical activity and improvements in some key health outcomes, at least in the short term," Bravata's team wrote in the report published in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association.
"The extent to which these results are durable over the long term is unknown," they said.
(Reporting and writing by Michael Conlon; Editing by Maggie Fox and Bill Trott)
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It was not clear from the study, the first to review most previously published research on pedometer use, whether those who use the devices are more motivated in the first place, just benefit from the assistance, or both.
Many pedometer-related programs recommend users set daily goals for themselves, such as 10,000 steps or about 5 miles (8 km).
Dr. Dena Bravata and colleagues at Stanford University in California reviewed 26 earlier studies covering 2,767 people, with an average age of 49.
It found that pedometer users took more than 2,000 extra steps a day compared to those who did not use the devices, and that having a goal of reaching a certain number of steps was a significant factor.
Those using the devices, which are worn on the hip, also lost weight as measured by body mass index, and significantly reduced their systolic blood pressure -- the top number in blood pressure readings, which indicates the maximum pressure of a contracting heart.
"Our results suggest that the use of these small, relatively inexpensive devices is associated with significant increases in physical activity and improvements in some key health outcomes, at least in the short term," Bravata's team wrote in the report published in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association.
"The extent to which these results are durable over the long term is unknown," they said.
(Reporting and writing by Michael Conlon; Editing by Maggie Fox and Bill Trott)
Email Story IM Story Printable View RECOMMEND THIS STORY
Recommend It:
Average (53 votes)
» Recommended Stories
Health News
Tired on Thanksgiving? Don't blame turkey AP Pedometers may encourage weight loss AP Stem cell breakthrough defuses debate AP Heart disease kills more women under 45 AP Principal to donate a kidney to student AP Most Viewed - HealthHealth Video
The Genetics of Diabetes ABC News - Tue Nov 20, 5:36 PM ET Mystery Solved FOX News - Tue Nov 20, 4:05 PM ET Scientists process skin tissue to mimic embryonic stem cells CBC.ca - Tue Nov 20, 10:46 AM ET Heart disease warning CNN - Tue Nov 20, 7:44 AM ET
Sponsored Links( What's this? )
House Payments Fall Again
See Rates, No Credit Check Req. Calculate Your New Mortgage Payment.
Refinance and Save $1,000S
$150,000 Mortgage for $483/month. Compare up to 4 free quotes.
Refinance $300,000 for Only $965/Month
$300,000 Mortgage for only $965/month. Save $1,000's - No obligation.
Reuters Photo: Women exercise as a man walks past on Clapham Common in London May 17, 2006.... Health Video
The Genetics of Diabetes
ABC News
Mystery Solved
FOX News
» All news video
Elsewhere on the Web
ABC News: ER Errors: Latest Casualty? Dennis Quaid
CNN.com: Study: Babies can tell helpful, hurtful playmates
Time RSS: What Makes Us Moral
ADVERTISEMENT
From Y! Health
Health Questions?
Find answers on Yahoo! Health:
» More from Y! Health
NEWS ALERTS
Get an alert when there are new stories about:
California
blood pressure readings
Stanford University
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Copyright © 2007 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
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