Research Papers
The 10,000 Steps program originates from a landmark research study that examined the effectiveness of a whole-of-community multi-strategy intervention to increase physical activity in Rockhampton (2001-2003). The research study was a success and the 10,000 Steps program was subsequentially transformed into an e- and mHealth intervention to achieve Queensland-wide reach and impact. Today, the program continues to apply evidence-based principles while remaining innovative by updating and adapting the program as technology advances. The 10,000 Steps program is still significant and relevant today, because it is much more than just an online step challenge.
Take a look at the research papers published by our team to learn more about the effectiveness of the 10,000 Steps Program and other programs run by the Physical Activity Research Group at CQUniversity Australia.
Stepping up to Scale: Organisational Implementation of the 10,000 Steps Program in Victoria, Australia [Abstract]
Cassar, S., Kaphle, S., Parker, F., Rivera, E., Van Itallie, A., Ma, J., Vandelanotte, C.
Stepping up to Scale: Organisational Implementation of the 10,000 Steps Program in Victoria, Australia [Conference presentation abstract]. (2026, May). International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Conference. Conference, Cadiz, Spain.
Every Minute Counts: Evaluating physical activity change in 10,000 Steps Program participants [Abstract]
Van Itallie, A., Lo, N., Wheatley, C., Gill, N., Parker, F., Vandelanotte, C.
Every minute counts: Evaluating physical activity change in 10,000 Steps Program participants [Conference presentation abstract]. (2025, November). Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity Conference. Conference, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Still Stepping: More than 20 years of evolution in the 10,000 Steps Program in Supporting Australians to be active [Abstract]
Van Itallie, A., Lo, N., Wheatley, C., Gill, N., Parker, F., Vandelanotte, C.
Still Stepping: More than 20 years of evolution in the 10,000 Steps Program in Supporting Australians to be active [Conference presentation abstract]. (2025, November). Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity Conference. Conference, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Step into Nature – A nature-based physical activity campaign delivered through the 10,000 Steps program [Abstract]
Vandelanotte, C., Schoeppe, S., Van Itallie, A., Williams, R., Erbacher, M., Parker, F. Step into Nature – A nature-based physical activity campaign delivered through the 10,000 Steps program [Conference presentation abstract]. (2025, November). Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity Conference. Conference, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Policy mapping as an approach to scale up and sustainably implement the 10,000 Steps Program in Victoria [Abstract]
Cassar, S., Kaphle, S., Rivera, E., Van Itallie, A., Vandelanotte, C., Parker, F. Policy mapping as an approach to scale up and sustainably implement the 10,000 Steps Program in Victoria [Conference presentation abstract]. (2025, August). Emerging Health Policy & Economics Research Conference. Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Understanding super engaged users in the 10,000 Steps online physical activity program: A qualitative study
Vandelanotte, C., Hooker, C., Van Itallie, A., Urooj, A., Duncan, MJ., (2022) Understanding super engaged users in the 10,000 Steps online physical activity program: A qualitative study. PLOS ONE; 17(10): e0274975. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274975
Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity Among 10,000 Steps Members and Engagement With the Program in Australia: Prospective Study
To, QG., Duncan, MJ., Van Itallie, A., Vandelanotte, C., (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity Among 10,000 Steps Members and Engagement With the Program in Australia: Prospective Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research; 23(1): e23946.
The Association Between Logging Steps Using a Website, App, or Fitbit and Engaging With the 10,000 Steps Physical Activity Program: Observational Study
Rayward, A.T., Vandelanotte, C., Van Itallie, A., Duncan, M.J. (2021). The Association Between Logging Steps Using a Website, App, or Fitbit and Engaging With the 10,000 Steps Physical Activity Program: Observational Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(6): e22151. https://doi.org/10.2196/22151
Every Step Counts: Understanding the Success of Implementing The 10,000 Steps Project
Vandelanotte, C., Van Itallie, A., Brown, W., Mummery, W.K., Duncan, M.J. (2020). Every Step Counts: Understanding the Success of Implementing The 10,000 Steps Project. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 2(268) pg. 15-30. https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI200003.
Impact of a Social Media Campaign on Reach, Uptake, and Engagement with a FreeWeb- and App-Based Physical Activity Intervention: The 10,000 Steps Australia Program
Rayward, A.T., Vandelanotte, C., Corry, K., Van Itallie A.,, Duncan, M.J. (2019). Impact of a Social Media Campaign on Reach, Uptake, and Engagement with a Free Web- and App-Based Physical Activity Intervention: The 10,000 Steps Australia Program. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; 16(24); 5076. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16245076
A RE-AIM Evaluation of a Workplace Physical Activity Microgrant Initiative: The 10,000 Steps Workplace Challenge
Duncan, M J., Caperchione, C M., Corry, K., Van Itallie, A., Vandelanotte, C. (2019). A RE-AIM Evaluation of a Workplace Physical Activity Microgrant Initiative: The 10,000 Steps Workplace Challenge. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; 61(9); 718 -723.
Qualitative exploration of the feasibility and acceptability of workplace-based microgrants to improve physical activity: The 10,000 Steps pedometer microgrant scheme
Caperchione, C. M., Vandelanotte, C. Corry, K., Power, D., Gill, N. & Duncan M. (2018). Qualitative exploration of the feasibility and acceptability of workplace-based microgrants to improve physical activity: The 10,000 Steps pedometer microgrant scheme. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine; 60(8):e406-e411.
Effectiveness of a Web 2.0 intervention to increase physical activity in real-world settings: Randomized ecological trial
Vandelanotte, C., Kolt, G. S., Caperchione, C. M., Savage, T. N., Rosenkranz, R. R., Maeder, A. J., Van Itallie, A., Tague, R., Oldmeadow, C., Mummery, W. K., & Duncan, M. J. (2017). Effectiveness of a Web 2.0 intervention to increase physical activity in real-world settings: Randomized ecological trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research; 19(11): e390.
Using web 2.0 applications to promote health-related physical activity: Findings from the WALK 2.0 randomised controlled trial
Kolt, G. S., Rosenkranz, R. R., Vandelanotte, C., Caperchione, C. M., Maeder, A. J., Tague, R., Savage, T. N., Van Itallie, A., Mummery, W. K. Oldmeadow, C., & Duncan, M. J. (2017). Using web 2.0 applications to promote health-related physical activity: Findings from the WALK 2.0 randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine; 51(19): 1433-1440.
Validity of the Stages of Change in Steps instrument (SoC-Step) for achieving the physical activity goal of 10,000 steps per day
Rosenkranz, R. R., Duncan, M. J., Caperchione, C. M., Kolt, G. S., Vandelanotte, C., Maeder, A. J., Savage, T. N., & Mummery, W. K. (2015). Validity of the Stages of Change in Steps instrument (SoC-Step) for achieving the physical activity goal of 10,000 steps per day. BMC Public Health; 15(1): 1197.
Engagement and nonusage attrition with a free physical activity promotion program: The case of 10,000 steps Australia
Guertler, D., Vandelanotte, C., Kirwan, M., & Duncan, M. J. (2015). Engagement and nonusage attrition with a free physical activity promotion program: The case of 10,000 steps Australia. Journal of Medical Internet Research; 17(7): e176.
WALK 2.0: Examining the effectiveness of Web 2.0 features to increase physical activity in a 'real world' setting: An ecological trial protocol
Caperchione, C. M., Kolt, G. S., Savage, T. N., Rosenkranz, R. R., Maeder, A. J., Vandelanotte, C., Duncan, M. J., Van Itallie, A., Tague, R., & Mummery, W. K. (2014). WALK 2.0: Examining the effectiveness of Web 2.0 features to increase physical activity in a 'real world' setting: An ecological trial protocol. BMJ Open; 4: e006374.
Cross-sectional associations between multiple lifestyle behaviors and health-related quality of life in the 10,000 steps cohort
Duncan, M. J., Kline, C. E., Vandelanotte, C., Rogers, N. L., & Di Miia, L.(2014) Cross-sectional associations between multiple lifestyle behaviors and health-related quality of life in the 10,000 steps cohort. PLoS ONE; 9(4): e94184.
Design, Development and Formative Evaluation of a Smartphone Application for Recording and Monitoring Physical Activity Levels: the 10,000 Steps ‘iStepLog’
Kirwan, M., Duncan, M. J., Vandelanotte, C., & Mummery, W. K. (2013) Design, Development and Formative Evaluation of a Smartphone Application for Recording and Monitoring Physical Activity Levels: the 10,000 Steps ‘iStepLog’. Health Education and Behavior; 40(2): 140-151.
Prospective associations between intervention components and website engagement in a publically available physical activity website: The case of 10,000 Steps Australia
Davies, C., Corry, K., Van Itallie, A., Vandelanotte, C., Caperchione, C., & Mummery, K. (2012). Prospective associations between intervention components and website engagement in a publically available physical activity website: The case of 10,000 Steps Australia. Journal of Medical Internet Research; 14(1): e4.
Exploring the feasibility of implementing a pedometer-based physical activity program in primary school settings: a case study of 10,000 Steps
Davies, C., Duncan, M., Vandelanotte, C., Hall, S., Corry, K., & Hooker, C. (2012). Exploring the feasibility of implementing a pedometer-based physical activity program in primary school settings: a case study of 10,000 Steps. Health Promotion Journal of Australia; 23(2): 141-144.
Using Smartphone Technology to Monitor Physical Activity in the 10,000 Steps Program: A Matched Case-Control Trial
Kirwan, M., Duncan, M., Vandelanotte, C., & Mummery, W. K. (2012) Using Smartphone Technology to Monitor Physical Activity in the 10,000 Steps Program: A Matched Case-Control Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research; 14(2): 176-185.
Correlates of pedometer use: Results from a community-based physical activity intervention trial (10,000 Steps Rockhampton)
Eakin, E. G., Mummery, K., Reeves, M. M., Lawler, S.P., Schofield, G., Marshall, A.J., & Brown, W. J. (2007). Correlates of pedometer use: Results from a community-based physical activity intervention trial (10,000 Steps Rockhampton). International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity; 4: 31.
Dissemination of a community-based physical activity project: The case of 10,000 steps
Mummery, W. K., Schofield, G., Hinchliffe, A., Joyner, K., & Brown, W. (2006). Dissemination of a community-based physical activity project: The case of 10,000 steps. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport; 9(5): 424-430.
10,000 Steps Rockhampton: Evaluation of a whole of community approach to improving population levels of physical activity
Brown, W. J., Mummery, K., Eakin, E., & Schofield, G. (2006). 10,000 Steps Rockhampton: Evaluation of a whole of community approach to improving population levels of physical activity. Journal of Physical Activity Health; 3(1): 1-14.
Psychosocial and Environmental Factors Associated with Physical Activity among City-Dwellers in Regional Queensland
Duncan, M., & Mummery, W.K. (2005). Psychosocial and Environmental Factors Associated with Physical Activity among City-Dwellers in Regional Queensland. Preventive Medicine; 40(4): 363-372.
Physical activity promotion in primary care – Bridging the gap between research and practiced with Physical Activity among City-Dwellers in Regional Queensland
Eakin, E.G., Brown, W., Marshall, A., Mummery, K., & Larsen, E. (2004). Physical activity promotion in primary care – Bridging the gap between research and practice. American Journal of Preventive Medicine; 27(4): 297-303.
Engaging a local council to promote physical activity: The case of dog walking in the 10,000 Steps Rockhampton project
Schofield, G., Steele, R., Mummery, W.K., & Brown, W. (2004). Engaging a local council to promote physical activity: The case of dog walking in the 10,000 Steps Rockhampton project. Health Promotion Journal of Australia; 15(1): 78-81.
10,000 Steps Rockhampton: establishing a multi-strategy physical activity promotion project in a community
Brown, W. J., Eakin, E., Mummery, K., & Trust, S. (2003). 10,000 Steps Rockhampton: establishing a multi-strategy physical activity promotion project in a community. Health Promotion Journal of Australia; 14(2): 95-100.
Pedometer use in the context of the 10,000 Steps Rockhampton project: Results from a population survey
Schofield, G., Mummery, K., Brown, W., & Eakin, E. (2004b). Pedometer use in the context of the 10,000 Steps Rockhampton project: Results from a population survey [conference abstract]. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport; 7(4): 44.