Paper Search Results
Are pedometers useful motivational tools for increasing walking in sedentary adults?
|Graham Baker, BSc (Hons): University of Strathclyde, Professor Nanette Mutrie, DPE, M.Ed, PhD, FBASES: University of Strathclyde
Summary: Walking helps people achieve the recommended accumulation of 30 minutes moderate activity daily. It is accessible to both genders, young and old, and is capable of overcoming many barriers such as time or expense. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of pedometers, in conjunction with goal setting programmes (designed to accumulate 30 minutes of walking at least 5 days of the week), in providing motivation for walking. The study used the transtheoretical model of behaviour change (TTM) as a framework for behaviour change. Seventy-one participants (54 women and 17 men, aged 42 to 11 years; range 18 to 61 years) wore a sealed pedometer for 7 days to establish baseline step counts. Participants were randomly assigned to; pedometer intervention (n=23, pedometer open for feedback plus 4-week goal setting programme in steps), minutes goal setting intervention (n=24, 4-week goal setting programme in minutes) or control group (n=24, no action for 4 weeks). Questionnaires based on the 4 components of the TTM (self-efficacy, decisional balance, process of change, stage of change) and a 7-day recall of physical activity (PA) were completed at baseline and week 4. A one-way ANOVA was performed between the groups for step-count at baseline, week 4 and step-count difference (week 4 minus baseline). No significant difference was found between the groups at baseline in terms of step-count. However at week 4 (p=0.044) and for step-count difference (p=0.000) significant differences were found. A one sample t-test identified that the pedometer intervention group significantly increased step count from baseline to week 4 (mean increase of 20,186 steps, p<0.001). Both other groups displayed no significant difference. 1-sample Wilcoxon tests showed both the pedometer intervention group (p=0.012) and minutes goal setting group (p=0.002) significantly increased their total 7-day recall of PA. The control group reported no significant difference. For all groups (at baseline and at week 4), the processes of self-liberation and self re-evaluation received the highest frequency of use scores. Wilcoxon analysis found the minutes goal setting group significantly increased their use of counter conditioning (p=0.022), while the control group significantly increased their use of stimulus control (p=0.007). 69% of participants considered themselves inactive at baseline, ... More
ARTISTS Arterial Streets Towards Sustainability
|Ase Svensson
Summary: ARTISTS (Arterial Streets Towards Sustainability) is a joint European Project funded by the European Commission, a part of Key Action City of Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage in the Fifth Framework Programme Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development http://www.tft.lth.se/artists/ The problems of traffic congestion, accidents, air pollution and excessive noise that are characteristic of large parts of most European towns and cities are usually to be found in their most extreme form along the major arterial streets. Yesterdays arterial streets were planned as if there only were car driver interests to take into consideration; which obviously is not true for todays arterial streets that have to manage many different and sometimes conflicting functions, of which some are not transport-related at all. Arterial streets, therefore, present a particular challenge to sustainable urban planning, as they attempt to meet at least four, often conflicting functions. Arterial streets are main channels for through-going traffic between different parts of the city (1), provide access for various kinds of traffic to buildings (2), are often market places (3), and are meeting places where residents and visitors meet, talk and take part in events (4). ... More
Assessing Pedestrian quality needs – progress
|Rob Methorst, Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, The Netherlands
Summary: The aim of the PQN project is to identify what people need for their safe and agreeable mobility in public space, to relate those needs to structural and functional interventions and policy making, and to show the added value of a proactive systems approach compared to sectoral approaches. ... More
Assessing Pedestrians Quality Needs - progress
|Rob Methorst
Summary: In 2006 the COST 358 Pederstrians’ Quality Needs project was started for substantiating such an approach. The project includes 20 European countries, 49 research organisations and over 70 researchers. The project was initiated by ICTCT. Progress will be presented at the yearly WALK21 conferences as well as the ICTCT workshops. ... More
Assessing Pedestrians’ Needs: The European COST 358 PQN project
|Rob Methorst, Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, DVS Centre for Transport and Navigation, Safety Section
Summary: The Pedestrians’ Quality Needs (PQN) project has been established to identify what people need for their safe and agreeable mobility and sojourn in public space and to show the added value of a systems approach compared with sectoral approaches. The idea to start the project received much support in both the scientific and policy development communities. Important opportunities are developments with regard to systems approach, new spatial concepts, health awareness and ICT developments. The project context further comprises that there are several pedestrian problems on strategic, tactical and operational levels as well as some trends that will probably endanger the position and well being of the pedestrian. Pedestrians have many different needs. Basic needs like health and mobility can be seen as preconditions. Reliability and convenience are dissatisfyers and comfort and attractiveness are the satisfies, the icing on the cake. The pedestrians’ needs will be analysed and substantiated using a conceptual framework that is based on a systems approach. The issues will be studied form a number of perspectives: functional needs, perceived needs and durability and future progress. Needs will have to be translated into system requirements. Attention will be given to all elements in the system and their interrelations. Thus requirements will be determined for physical facilities, the social environment, the transportation system and with regard to supporting the pedestrians’ ability to cope independently. Here the Design for All principle (Universal Design) will be leading. It is to be expected that policy implementation can best be streamlined according to a cascade in focus of attention: first preconditions, then latent (accident) causes and lastly behavioural measures. It is assumed that every adequate policy starts with knowledge. The second precondition is the (political) willingness to change the situation. If there is willingness, then it becomes important that one is able to do something: time, money, manpower, skills, tools, authority etc. Lastly, measures have to be implemented. The project results are to cover all these aspects. With regard to the study some practical considerations apply. The first research task is to gather available information, knowledge and expertise. For this Country Reports are the instrument. Based on the outcome of the Country Reports four working groups will deal with the specific research questions, deduced from the conceptual framework. There are working groups on Functional Needs, on Perceived Needs, Durability and Future Prospects and on Coherence and Integration. A Senior Management Group, made up of the chair, vice chair and the working group leaders, is established to co-ordinate the action on a day-to-day basis. Twice a year the PQN Management Committee meets to discuss progress and decide on strategic project matters. The project is ‘work in progress’. In the paper current (September 2007) results are listed. Preliminary conclusions are: • A new comprehensive approach is taking form • Research is supported by policy makers on international level • There is great need for empirical data, but they are hardly available • For the time being expert assessment is the only real option. ... More
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