OBJECTIVE: The effect of tracking the recommended dose of physical activity with pedometer on body composition was investigated. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to control, walking (PAC) and pedometer (PAC-PED) groups, and moderate- to high-intensity physical activity was prescribed. The participants performed the recommended exercises in PAC group by taking notes on follow-up cards, in PAC-PED group by pedometer, and in control group without a follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 50 participants, 23 in the control group, 11 in the PAC group and 16 in the PAC-PED group, were completed. The average age of all participants was 47.1 +/- 12.8 (25 to 81), the proportion of women and men was 74% and 26%, respectively. The mean body mass index of the participants was 29.7 +/- 5.5 kg/m2 and body fat ratio was 33.8 +/- 8.5. Participants were followed up for an average of 2.0 +/- 1.2 (0.5 to 6.3) months. There was a significant decrease in body weight in all groups. Body fat percentage did not change in the control group, but significantly decreased in the PAC and PAC-PED groups. CONCLUSION: While individual follow-up by card in patients with moderate- to high-intensity physical activity reduces body fat ratio, individual follow-up by pedometer reduces body fat ratio even more. Body fat ratio does not change when individual follow-up is not performed.

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