BACKGROUND: Increasing moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) is an important public health goal. Pedometers are evidence-based devices for increasing daily activity but studies have not evaluated the comparative efficacy of step cadence goals for increasing MVPA. PURPOSE: Evaluate the efficacy of three pedometer-based step goals for increasing MVPA. METHODS: Latina women (n = 180; 18 to 55 yr; mean BMI 31.1, SD 6.5) were recruited to 12 community centers which were randomly assigned to one of three conditions. Each group received an identical 12-week theory-based PA intervention that differed only on the type of daily step goal: (1) self-selected goal (SELF), (2) 10,000-step/day goal (FREQUENCY), and (3) 3,000 steps in 30-min goal (CADENCE). Accelerometer-based physical activity was measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. RESULTS: Adjusted multilevel pattern-mixture models using generalized estimating equations revealed participants in the CADENCE condition engaged in similar levels of post-intervention MVPA to those in the SELF and FREQUENCY goal conditions. However, MVPA of participants in the CADENCE condition was more likely to occur in bouts lasting greater than 10 consecutive minutes compared to the MVPA of participants in the SELF (p = 0.01) or FREQUENCY (p = 0001) conditions. CONCLUSIONS: PA interventions should consider including a step cadence goal to help individuals accumulate bout-based MVPA and meet national physical activity guidelines.

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