10,000 Steps programme launched as cure for flabbiness

A year ago, few people who could tell you what a pedometer was. Today, they are revolutionising the health and fitness world.

Essentially a small digital device, the pedometer is clipped to the waistband, telling the wearers how many steps they have walked.

And a new project in Auckland aims to encourage everyone to don a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps each day.

The 10,000 Steps programme, launched yesterday at North Harbour Stadium, is understood to be the first organised project of its kind in New Zealand.

Sarah Dunning, chief executive of Harbour Sport, the charitable trust behind the launch, said it had been prompted by research showing two-thirds of people did not get enough exercise and "a worrying decline in the numbers of children involved in physical activity".

A pilot of the project had proved simple, cheap and effective and Harbour Sport wanted to plug activity gaps in the community, schools and workplaces, she said.

"People don't need to set aside specific activity times. Simply extra paces here and there will meet the goal of 10,000 steps."

Health officials say 10,000 steps is the equivalent to an average day's movement accompanied by half an hour's specific activity, and meets the basic daily exercise people should be getting.

Research by Sport and Recreation New Zealand shows more than two-thirds of people fail to get that basic exercise, contributing to health problems and obesity among children.

The new project aims to improve the number of people getting enough exercise by five per cent by the end of 2007. In North Shore, that's about 18,000 people.

Yesterday's launch included 10 media representatives handing over sealed pedometers that had measured their steps for the previous few days to see if they had met the 10,000 steps challenge. Only one was above the target.

Dr Clara Soper, a biomechanics expert from company Health and Human Performance, said accumulated bouts of activity were better for the body than the traditional half-hour vigorous workout.

"Research proves it will help reduce the possibility of lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and some forms of cancer."

The pedometer was the perfect motivational tool, keeping track of performance while acting as a perpetual incentive to improve, she said.

Pedometer tips

* Park the car further away from the office, shops or school.
* Walk to a colleague's desk rather than using email.
* Walk during lunch breaks.

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Herald journalist Stuart Dye noted his steps:

Day 1: Monday

At 3.40pm the pedometer is attached and sealed. Decide I will not let it alter my routine as the aim is to learn how much exercise I'm doing compared to how much I should be doing. Head to the office kitchen to make coffee. Casually stamp up and down for a couple of minutes.

Sit back at my desk. Start wondering whether jiggling my leg would have an effect on the pedometer. Decide not to cheat. Instead, decide to go for a walk in the evening. Jiggle my leg while thinking about the walk.

Arrive home and see the strong winds have blown branches from trees into the garden. I'm strangely excited about having a reason to exercise. Clean up and decide against the walk.

Day 2: Tuesday

Day off work. Head to the kitchen for breakfast. Realise I've not attached the pedometer and race back to the bedroom in a mild panic.

Take my mother shopping and march purposefully through the aisles of Briscoes. For an hour and a half. Instead of moaning, I'm delighted about a definite boost to the step count.

Resist the temptation to loan the pedometer to a friend who is going for a run. Get home and walk to the dairy, turning my nose up at the car.

Day 3: Wednesday

The pedometer is becoming a malignant presence. Feel pressured to walk. Arrive at work and walk the stairs rather than taking the lift. One step at a time, rather than two. Relish any opportunity to stroll round the office.

Colleagues begin to act concerned until I explain the pedometer is watching. Colleagues more concerned.

Get told to be at the High Court to report on a case. Disregard the taxi chit for the two-minute journey and elect a 10-minute walk - and walk back afterwards. Adopt smug and superior look for rest of the day.

Day 4: Thursday

Results day. I average a distinctly uninspiring 6069 steps a day. With cheating.

Feel woefully inadequate next to another journalist who averaged 16,559 steps, but more pleased than entirely necessary to be standing next to a radio reporter, who shall remain nameless, who managed just 2361 steps.

I'm allowed to keep the pedometer and immediately clip it back on. I'm actually looking forward to trying to reach 10,000 steps. Without cheating.