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References
De Cocker, K. A., De Bourdeaudhuij, I. M., & Cardon, G. M. (2008). The effect of pedometer use in
combination with cognitive and behavioral support materials to promote physical activity. Patient
Education and Counseling, 70, 209-214. Retrieved February 10, 2011, from PubMed.
Ghent University in Ghent, Belgium is researching the effect of pedometer use, in addition with
other modalities, as motivators to increase the physical activity levels of individuals to meet the
international health guidelines. The participants were randomized into two groups, both groups
utilized pedometers, one group only received the educational material. Results of this study show
that although pedometer use increased the numbers of steps people take a day, when used in
conjunction with the informational material a greater number of steps were achieved. The attitudes
of participants was a limitation to this study because some on them stopped wearing the pedometer
after a few days, and the people who were willing to use it were participants already familiar with
daily physical activity levels. This article, much like the others, shows the importance of using a
pedometer to track the steps that people take. It gives them a tangible goal to aim for and is
applicable to the UMass Lowell walking program.
Employees in motion: Walk/bike to work programs: University of Washington. (n.d.). In Mayors
Wellness Campaign. Retrieved February 17, 2011, from
http://www.mayorswellnesscampaign.org/toolbox/employees-in-motion/employees-in-motion-
walkbike-to-work-programs-university-of-washington/
The University of Washington, in conjunction with the mayor of Seattle, is attempting to
increase the amount of campus faculty the ride their bike or walk to work. To promote this
program, initiatives such as free snacks at “energizer” stations during the first week of the
program, pedestrian guides, promotional pamphlets and information, team walking challenges
and lectures were used effectively. Some problems to this program were that it only consisted of
campus faculty, not the student population, so participation in the program could of reached a
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larger population than was achieved. In addition, after the first month or so of the program,
attrition became a program because the level of enthusiasm since the beginning of the program
had decreased. This website provides good information about how the University went about
planning and implementing this program, which can be important in the planning and
implementing of a walking program on our campus.
Fable, S. (2007, April). The first step: Creative walking programs encourage exercisers and serve as
growth venues. IDEA Fitness Journal, 4(4). Retrieved February 16, 2011, from Health and
Wellness Resource Center.
The author of this article reviews some of the general concepts associated with walking programs.
Health benefits to walking are described briefly, as well as common walking programs already in
existence. Both these concepts are explained clearly and in layman terms so that the general
population is able to understand the article. Although this article does not touch upon research
involving various walking programs, it offers good guidance in how to plan, promote and begin a
walking program that would apply to a large group of participants. This overview of walking
programs is an asset to use when designing a program for oneself or a group.
Fitness and Exercise: Walk UNH. (2011). In UNH Health Services. Retrieved February 17, 2011, from
http://www.unh.edu/health-services/ohep/fitness_walkunh.html
The University of New Hampshire’s Exercise and Fitness page offers links and advice on
resources that are available for the campus community to use. University members may rent
pedometers from resource centers and record their results with a free walking journal, follow one
of the maps of the around campus trails, listen to university podcasts and learn helpful tips about
designing and participating in walking on campus. Utilizing pedometers is a common theme
amongst the sources that I have reviewed and will be a great asset if participants can access them
at low costs on campus. Much like the Northridge website cited below, more information
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regarding times in which University members can meet as a group and walk together would
contribute a lot to encouraging walking amongst campus members.
Haines, D. J., Davis, L., Rancour, P., Robinson, M., Neel-Wilson, T., & Wagner, S. (2007, January). A
pilot intervention to promote walking and wellness and to improve the health of college faculty and
staff. Journal of American College, 55(4), 219-225. Retrieved February 10, 2011
The authors of this article, researchers from Ohio State University, recruited 125 participants to
participate in a 12 week intervention which utilizes a 10 unit virtual educational program. This
program consisted of participants logging the steps they’ve taken weekly while completing ten
units online about designing, implementing and some helpful steps to walking programs. The
results of this style program were an increase in step numbers from week 1 to week 12, the BMI
of many participants decreased as well as the mean cholesterol. The reported survey of
participants noted an increase in their overall wellbeing. A limit of this study is the participants
because 117 of 125 were faculty members of the university. Larger student participation would
be more applicable to my project, but this source is a good starting point for any program.
Health Matters . (2011). In UHS Tang Center Berkeley. Retrieved February 10, 2011, from
http://uhs.berkeley.edu/facstaff/healthmatters/calwalks.shtml
The Berkeley, University of Health Services website offers various links to pages that can not
only get you stated with their campus walking program, but can get you educated on designing
programs and how to manage your own physical activity and health. There are a variety of
programs and tracking tools to use, all on this one website, to aid participants and knowledge
seekers. This website is a good resource to with a variety of information to encompass large
audiences. Everything is accessible on one page, which makes joining the walking group and
tracking the fitness levels less of a daunting task. All the information on this resource can help me
as I am planning a walking program on campus.
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Kong, A. S., Burks, N., Conklin, C., Roldan, C., Skipper, B., Scott, S., & Sussman, A. L. (2010, June
3). A pilot walking school bus program to prevent obesity in hispanic elementary school children
;Role of physician involvement with the school Community. Clinical Pediatrics, 989(49).
doi:10.1177/0009922810370364
The Walking School Bus is a rapidly growing program in which children from neighboring areas
walk to school together accompanied by a parent or guardian. This mode of transportation to
school not only cuts down on traffic, but helps increase physical activity in youth and decrease
adolescent obesity. Kong and associates utilized this program with a select Hispanic community
of 28 children, in which obesity was prevalent amongst its youth. Results of this study showed
higher overall levels of physical activity, an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption with no
change in BMI. Since only a select, small population was selected to participate in this study, it
is limited in the results that it can achieve. The study is applicable to my research because it
allows me to grasp a better understanding of some of the walking programs already available out
there. Every other week of the program, promotional materials were given away to encourage
healthy behavior. Incentives are a good way to recruit participants and keep their interest in the
program, a concept to be applied to other walking programs.
Richardson, C. R., Buis, L. R., Janney, A. W., Goodrich, D. E., Sen, A., Mehari, K. S., & Fortlage, L. A.
(2010, December 17). An online community improves adherence in an internet-mediated walking
program: Part 1: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Internet Medical Research,
12(4). Retrieved February 10, 2011
The authors of this article, researchers from the University of Michigan, utilized a randomized
control trial to test the effectiveness of using online communities to track adherence to a walking
program, “Step Up to Health (SUH)”. Results of the study proved that users who posted more in
the online community, had a larger increase in step count per day. This trial shows that the more
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motivated a person feels by others in their online community, the more likely they are to commit
to a program and the less attrition of participants. Utilization of this tool allows commitment to a
program to be measured across a large population that otherwise data collection would be
impossible. The use of online recordings of participant results is something to consider as we
design a walking program at University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Penn Walking Program. (2007). In University of Pennsylvania Division of Human Resources. Retrieved
February 15, 2011, from http://www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness/walking.aspx
The University of Pennsylvania website offers in-depth information about its own campus-wide
walking program. Penn state utilizes a 12 week structured program with group walks held weekly
by a university faculty member. It describes the program in detail including session dates and
times, information on how to keep track of your own results and health benefits of the program to
encourage participation. This program is well designed and thought out and could possibly be
used as a guide in designing a program for UMass Lowell. This program also utilizes an online
website to track the progress of individuals and provides links to campus maps so that it’s easy to
find a good path to walk and the distance that will be walked.
Rodanski, D. (2009, January 13). Step It Up!. In California State University Northridge.
Retrieved February 10, 2011, from http://www-admn.csun.edu/ohrs/eap/step_it_up.html
This website, designed by the California State University Northridge office of human resources,
gives ample information about overall health and wellness benefits of walking. It highlights small
tips that make a walking program seem achievable by most of the population. It is written in clear
language and is designed with anyone in mind. This webpage also has links to outlined maps of
the university with charted distances that are easy for anyone to follow. This website also compiles
links to other resources that can contribute to reaching the varying goals of the participants. This
resource is limited in that it does not offer a University walking program for members to join and
utilize. Although this is a valuable resource that can encourage people to walk, being involved in
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a campus-only program would draw more interest and participation. This website is useful in
outlining resources that can be utilized in designing a campus walking program for the University
of Massachusetts Lowell