Thirty-two studies (n=2,570 non-unique participants) were included in the review. Sample sizes ranged from 10 to 652 participants. Length of follow-up ranged from less than eight weeks to over 15 weeks.
Pedometer interventions had moderate positive effects on physical activity compared to comparators (ES 0.68, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.81, I2=77%; 32 studies). Moderator analysis indicated that pedometers had the greatest benefits in women (ES 0.80, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.97; 28 studies) and in studies that had a 10k goal (ES 0.84, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.24; five studies). Pedometers had fewest benefits in men (ES 0.30, 95% CI -0.18 to 0.79; three studies) and a combination of ages (ES 0.28, 95% CI -0.10 to 0.66; five studies).