Author(s): PILLAY, J., ROELOFSE, V., HEWER, G., ONWUBU, S., HAFFEJEE, F., Institution: DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, Country: SOUTH AFRICA, Abstract-ID: 338

INTRODUCTION:
Walking is a mode of physical activity (PA) promoted for health. Pedometers, typically measuring total steps/day, are tools motivating for and monitoring ambulatory PA. There is, however, little information concerning the association of volume and intensity of steps, and aerobic fitness among adults. We aimed to examine this association.
METHODS:
A convenience sample (N=122; 32.5±13.6 years), wore a pedometer for at least five consecutive days. Aerobic fitness was determined through the Harvard step test culminating in a Physical Efficiency index (PEI) as an estimate of fitness. Steps/day data were sub-grouped according to volume/intensity-based categories aligned with steps/day recommendations. Analysis of covariance, adjusting for age, gender and total steps/ day were used to compare groups according to volume/intensity-based categories. Post-hoc Bonferroni tests were used to determine between-group effects.
RESULTS:
Average total steps/day accumulated were 5,352±2 with more than half of the participants (54.1%; n=66) accumulating less than 5,000 steps/day, typically classified as sedentary and over two-thirds (68%; n=83) accumulating little/no aerobic activity. When categorized by average aerobic steps/day categories (<1,000 aerobic steps/day versus ≥1,000 aerobic steps/day), significance was found for aerobic fitness and most body fat estimates.
CONCLUSION:
The integration of volume and intensity of ambulatory PA in pedometer-based messages is of relevance towards providing messages aligned with recommendations for daily PA. Based on our findings, steps/day recommendations should be aligned towards including the accumulation of aerobic steps.