Physical activity of older Australians measured by pedometry

Aim: To established population norms for pedometer determined step counts in older Australians. Methods: A representative sample of 684 participants over the age of 55 years wore a pedometer for a week in Newcastle, Australia. Results: Response rate was 32%. Median daily step count was 8605 in those aged 55-59 years declining to 3778 in those over 80 years old. The proportion who reached 8000 steps per day was 62% in those 55-59 years and 12% in those over 80 years. Daily step counts were highest on Thursdays and Fridays and least on Sundays. Weekend days had on average 620 less steps than weekdays. After adjusting for age, there was a negative association of step count with body mass index >30, and with a history of arthritis but no significant association with other demographic variables. Conclusion: Pedometry is feasible in an elderly sample, and research involving pedometers must take days of the week into account.