Effects of promoting daily physical activity on physical and mental health in older individuals.

The trial was non-randomized, and participants were assigned taking into account whether they came with a spouse or already knew each other. Only 21 intervention and 18 control participants were analysed, so the study could not examine subgroups such as living situation, environment, family composition, or physical condition. 11 participants were excluded because their average daily steps were already at least 10,000, so results may not apply to people already meeting that step level. One participant from each group was excluded for having fewer than six eligible days of accelerometer data, which may affect generalisability of the activity measurements. Both groups received health seminars, and the control group also increased average daily steps, so the separate contribution of tailored counselling, step targets, and seminars cannot be separated. All participants could walk independently, so the results may not apply to older adults with greater mobility limitations.

This study was financially supported by the Kao Corporation. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Do not read the quality-of-life gains as caused by tailored counselling and step targets alone. Both groups received health seminars and wore accelerometers, the control group also increased average daily steps, and physical fitness showed no group interaction.