Pedometers quantify and give feedback on physical activity and this increases physical activity levels. 8 Increasing the amount of steps taken daily may, therefore, be one method of enabling older adults to increase their overall physical activity levels. 3, 7 Increasing the overall number of steps taken daily can enable people to increase their amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity 5 in addition to increasing light intensity activity and reducing sedentary behaviour. 6 Current guidelines recommend older adults engage in at least 150 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, in bouts lasting for 10 min or more, as well as minimise sedentary behaviours. 5 There is mounting evidence that large amounts of sedentary behaviour is harmful to health even in those who also engage in physical activity. Moderate to vigorous physical activity is known to induce health benefits.

3 Health problems that are more common in older age may also contribute to low physical activity levels. 2 Although prevalent throughout the lifespan, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour (time spent sitting and lying down) are particularly common among older adults. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for many chronic conditions, and contributes to early mortality 1 and rising healthcare costs.

Fitbit activity tracker