In 2023, Dr. Stephanie Alley, Professor Corneel Vandelanotte, Kim Waters, Felix Parker, and Anetta Van Itallie from the Physical Activity Research Group at CQUniversity, conducted a 10,000 Steps team Tournament in community groups of older adults. This initiative aimed to assess the feasibility and satisfaction of older adults participating in a web and app based physical activity program within community groups. Known as the 10,000 Steps Active Community Tournament, the six-week event was part of a research project led by Dr. Stephanie Alley of CQUniversity.
Heart Foundation walkers Stockland Striders, led by Christine Dobele and CQUniversity Senior Research Officer and 10,000 Steps Program Manager Anetta Van Itallie.
The Community Tournament
The tournament was a 6-week (42 day) time out tournament with a goal for each team to support each other to be physically active and achieve as many steps as they could. Participants tracked their steps using a pedometer, activity tracker, mobile phone, or active minutes and logged or synced their steps with the 10,000 Steps program website or mobile application.
- The tournament was a great success with 77 participants over 7 teams together logging a grand total of 26 million steps.
- Teams included Stockland Striders Heart Foundation walking group, Bargara Probus club, U3A Rockhampton, U3A Gladstone and Rockhampton Men’s Shed.
- There were also two groups of friends and family members not affiliated with an organisation.
- A total of 15 participants (19%) opted to be a virtual member of 10,000 Steps so their team captain or tournament coordinator could log steps on their behalf.
- On average participants logged steps (or had their steps logged for them) for 37 of the 42 days.
10,000 Steps and Heart Foundation Walking
The Heart Foundation has been a valued partner of the 10,000 Steps program for over 20 years. The internationally-recognised 10,000 Steps program began with the Stockland team, one of the initial groups collaborating with the Program during the 10,000 Steps Rockhampton research trial from 2001 to 2003. Alongside the Heart Foundation and numerous community partners across Queensland and nationally, both the 10,000 Steps and Heart Foundation Walking programs continue to promote the benefits of walking. This includes fostering social support within communities and advocating for improved walking environments to encourage more people to incorporate walking into their daily routines.
The Rockhampton Heart Foundation walking group, Stockland Striders led by Christine Dobele and Deslea Schneider welcomed the chance to challenge and track team progress. The walking group achieved an incredible 8 million steps across the six week tournament.
“We enjoy the social aspect of walking, and with the 10,000 Steps Active Community Tournament we appreciated the personal challenge of increasing our daily steps. Some of the team members were amazed at the number of steps they were able to achieve daily, and we all enjoyed our team position in the tournament as number one!”
Preliminary Results
Survey data were collected from 60 participants at baseline, 58 participants at post-intervention, and 54 participants at follow up to assess self-reported physical activity (Active Australia Survey), social support (Social Support and Exercise Survey) and acceptability of the intervention. Engagement data from the 10,000 Steps website were also collected during the tournament and interviews were conducted with 13 participants to understand their user experience.
- The average age of participants was 71 years and ranged from 54-86 years.
- A preliminary look at the physical activity results revealed that the average time participants spent in physical activity increased from 39 minutes a day pre-tournament to 51 minutes a day post-tournament. This remained higher than baseline at 6-weeks post tournament.
- The level of physical activity support participants received from friends increased from pre- to post-tournament. This remained higher than baseline at 6-weeks post tournament.
Statistical comparisons of pre-post physical activity and social support will be conducted and the mediating role of social support in physical activity changes will be investigated. Participant engagement, acceptability, and satisfaction of the 10,000 Steps team tournament will also be analysed.
“The research aims to determine whether an online team step tournament is feasible and effective at increasing physical activity in older adults, as well as who benefits the most from the tournament, and how important social support is for increasing physical activity.”
Acknowledgements
Full media release from CQUniversity Striders step up in 10,000 Steps Active Community Tournament, first published October, 2023.
This research was supported by CQUniversity Australia and a fellowship from the National Heart Foundation of Australia (102609).
With thanks to our participating groups, Heart Foundation Walking, U3A, Rockhampton Men's Shed and Bargara Probus Club.
Heart Foundation Walking
Australia's Physical Activity Recommendations for Older People (65 Years and Older)
