Physical Activity, Menopause, and Quality of Life: the Role of Affect and Self-worth Across Time.
Elavsky (2009)
This study examined long-term effects of physical activity, such as walking and yoga, on menopause-related quality of life including physical self-worth. It was concluded that physical activity can have long-term benefits for women undergoing the menopausal transition.
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Interventions for Promoting Mobility in Community-dwelling Older Adults
Yeom HA, Keller C, Fleury J (2009)
In this review, past studies were examined to provide an updated report of interventions designed to enhance mobility in older adults. The strengths and limitations of existing intervention studies are discussed and it is concluded that effective interventions for enhancing mobility in older adults include walking, aerobic exercise, and resistance training. Prescribing this combination in a primary care setting can help minimize the progression of impaired mobility in older adults.
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Low-intensity Exercise Exerts Beneficial Effects on Plasma Lipids via PPARgamma
Butcher LR, Thomas A, Backx K, Roberts A, Webb R, Morris K (2008)
In this study 34 sedentary adults participated in an 8 week walking program which consisted of walking 10,000 steps 3 times a week to investigate whether low intensity exercise modulates lipid metabolism.
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Experiences of Women in a Minimal Contact Pedometer-based Intervention
Heesch KC, Dinger MK, McClary KR, Rice KR (2005)
In this study focus groups were used to explore inactive women's experiences during and after a minimal contact pedometer-based intervention. It was concluded that the effectiveness of minimal contact interventions may be enhanced by including pedometers, step logs, and email reminders.
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A Strategy for Increasing Physical Activity in Sedentary Populations
Kelly Arbour, MSc, and Kathleen Martin Ginis, PhD (2006)
This study examines the effects of a 12-week implementation intention intervention strategy on the perceptions of physical activity and walking behaviour of sedentary women. It was concluded that implementation intentions combined with other social-cognitive exercise enhancing strategies may be an effective way to increase physical activity in sedentary populations.
Read the article here.
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A Meta-Analysis of Pedometer Base Walking Interventions
Caroline R. Richardson, MD, Tiffany L. Newton, BS, Jobby J. Abraham, MBBS, Ananda Sen, PhD, Masahito Jimbo, MD, PhD, MPH and Ann M. Swartz, PhD (2008)
In this meta-analysis, 6 electronic databases were searched and pedometer experts were contacted to identify pedometer-based walking studies without a dietary intervention that reported weight change as an outcome. It was concluded that Pedometer-based walking programs result in a modest amount of weight loss and longer programs yield more weight loss than shorter programs.
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Walking for Wellness and Financial Gains
Haines DH, Davis L, et al (2007)
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 12-week walking program (that included pedometers, a computer educational program, and weekly e-mails) on health benefits for college faculty and staff; and financial benefits for the overall institution. The results indicated that the Virtual Walking & Wellness Program increased physical activity of participants, caused improvements in their physical and psychological well-being and in-turn may have a positive impact on employers' health care costs.
View the article here.
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Research: Impact of a Walking Program in People with Down Syndrome
Carmeli, E., Barchad, S., Masharawi, Y., & Coleman, R. (2004)
This study evaluates how a pain-free, low-intensity walking program would affect older adults with intellectual disability (ID) who reside in supervised community living facilities. It was concluded that a walking program (i.e. treadmill walking program) of low intensity performed over 3.5 months will elicit positive improvements, such as decreasing pain levels and improving functional ability of older adults with ID suffering from IC.
View the study here.
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Walking for Older Women
Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (2005)
This study evaluates the effects of implementing a 60 minute per day brisk walk into the daily routines of older women suffering from mildly elevated blood cholesterol. The study demonstrates that an exercise program alone (such as 60 minutes of walking per day), without any diet change, can decrease the risk for heart disease among older women who have mildly elevated cholesterol and longer programs combined with dietary changes are likely even more effective to enhance heart health.
View the article here.
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A 1-y walking program and increased dietary calcium in postmenopausal women: effects on bone
ME Nelson, EC Fisher, FA Dilmanian, GE Dallal and WJ Evans (1991)
This study examines the effects that a supervised 1-year walking program and increased dietary calcium has on bones. It was concluded that exercise, more specifically walking for postmenopausal women, and high dietary calcium may have beneficial effects, such as decreased bone loss from the trabecular bone of the spine, and various other skeletal sites.
Download the PDF here.