International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-78021042019051320087802ENDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, PuducherryDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, PuducherryDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, PuducherryDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, PuducherryDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, Puducherry20190513<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Workplace acts as an effcient target for health promotion activities. Pedometer can act as a motivator and monitor of physical activity. </span><span class="fontstyle0">Aims: </span><span class="fontstyle2">The aim of the study was to assess the effect of pedometer usage in increasing physical activity and the level of adherence among employees of a software company in Puducherry. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">An interventional study was conducted with a prepost design. A single group of software company employees (</span><span class="fontstyle3">n </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 46), age ≥30 years selected by simple random sampling, was included in the study. Intervention consisted of health education program on physical activity, goal setting, and instructions regarding the use of pedometers for 1 week. Physical activity levels were measured at baseline and endline using global physical activity questionnaire.</span></p><p><strong></strong><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Out of the 46 participants, 93% of the participants used the pedometer for at least 6 days. The difference between maximum observed step count during the week (median 9834 steps) and at baseline (6963 steps) was signifcant. Overall, 93.5% found pedometers to be useful for improving physical activity. Proportion of<br />individuals with adequate physical activity based on  Metabolic equivalents (MET) minutes increased from 41.3% (</span><span class="fontstyle3">n </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 19) at baseline to 69.6% at endline (</span><span class="fontstyle3">n </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 32) (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.004). </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">This study shows that a pedometer‑driven walking intervention in the workplace setting is feasible and effective in increasing physical activity over a short term. Further research is required to test the effect of supportive strategies and long‑term effectiveness of pedometer use.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0" style="color: #00652e;"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle3">Exercise, ftness tracker, health promotion, walking, workplace</span></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2036http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2036/717717855