Lifestyle Blogger

Monday, October 7

Mall Walking Program Using Smartphones Could Boost Step Counts

Man and woman walking inside a mall

According to a recent Japanese study that was written about in the January 2024 edition of JAMA Network Open, a smartphone-based mall walking program could inspire people to get more active.

The study examined step records from 217,344 mall patrons who carried a free smartphone step-tracking app. After walking 1,000 steps at the mall, participants received a digital coupon to participate in a lottery for shopping points.

Researchers collected daily step count data for the entirety of 2021. They discovered that on days when individuals engaged in the mall walking program, they averaged over 1,200 additional steps compared to days they didn’t participate. Notably, women and those aged 65 and older exhibited the most significant increases in their daily step counts.

The authors highlight that malls can be an excellent environment for walking, offering a spacious and safe area free from the complications of poor weather or heavy traffic.
This research is still being monitored.

Photo by Jonathan Borba from Pexels
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23 comments

  1. Really interesting! I wish I could walk more.

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    1. The health benefits of walking is amazing.

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  2. Muitas vezes prefiro caminhar por l´pa, pois é seguro e o piso sem problemas, é bem cuidado! beijos, linda semana, chica

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    1. Smooth, well-maintained paths make such a difference for a relaxing and enjoyable stroll. I'm glad you have a spot like that to enjoy!

      Kisses to you too, and wishing you an amazing week ahead.

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  3. Boa tarde de segunda-feira e uma excelente semana. Obrigado pela visita e comentário. Gosto muito de fazer caminhadas e trilhas. Excelente matéria, minha querida amiga Melody.

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    1. Thank you Luiz. Hiking and walking are an excellent way to keep fit.

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  4. Mi teléfono móvil, me cuenta los pasos. Cada vez que salgo a la calle, se los km que he hecho.

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    1. That’s awesome! Having your phone track your steps and distance is such a great way to stay motivated and keep an eye on your activity levels. It’s super satisfying to see how far you've walked, and it helps you set goals or challenge yourself to do a bit more each time.

      Do you have a daily step goal, or do you just enjoy seeing how much distance you've covered each time?

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  5. Anonymous10/07/2024

    Very interesting.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  6. Hello,
    What good news! I don't have that app, I don't think...! But I know people who have it and they've actually started walking more and trying to beat their record of steps taken, every day they try to break the previous day's record. I believe this study to be reliable! Hugs

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    1. It really is motivating when you can track your steps and try to beat your own record each day! Many people find that having those numbers in front of them pushes them to walk more or take extra steps throughout the day. Even just little challenges like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going for a quick evening walk can make a difference.

      If you're interested, many smartphones have built-in step counters or health apps that you can activate without needing to download anything extra. They can track your steps, distance, and even calories burned if you’re curious about that side of things too.

      And you're absolutely right—there have been reliable studies showing that step-tracking increases physical activity. People tend to walk more when they're aware of their steps, which can lead to better cardiovascular health, weight management, and overall well-being!

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  7. Es interesante, te mando un beso.

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  8. That is an interesting piece of research. I have never done a step count if I go shopping.

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    1. Counting steps while shopping is surprisingly fun! You might be amazed at how many steps you rack up just walking around stores, especially if you're doing a lot of browsing or running errands. Even though it doesn't always feel like exercise, activities like shopping can really contribute to your overall step count for the day.

      If you’re ever curious, next time you go shopping, you could check your step count to see how it compares to a regular walk. It’s a great way to get in extra movement without even thinking about it—plus, who doesn’t love a little extra walking while doing something enjoyable like shopping?

      It turns out that daily tasks like this can play a big role in keeping you active!

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  9. Cool idea!
    The extra steps and the fun of earning digital coupons are great motivators.
    Malls are perfect for safe, weather-proof walking too!

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    1. Absolutely! Malls are a fantastic place to walk, especially when you want a climate-controlled, safe environment with smooth paths. It’s the perfect combination—you're staying active while enjoying window shopping. You don't have to worry about the weather.

      Plus, if you're earning digital coupons or rewards as you walk, that's even more motivation! Combining fitness and a little shopping bonus is a win-win situation. It’s like rewarding yourself with something extra for all those steps—whether it's discounts, deals, or just the satisfaction of reaching your goal. You get your workout in, stay active, and can treat yourself afterward.

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  10. Bom dia, Melody
    Ótimo estudo, muito interessante, caminhar no shopping é bom demais. Faço minhas caminhadas perto de casa, caminhar faz um bem enorme, bjs querida.

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    1. Good morning! I’m glad you found the study interesting! Walking close to home is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors while also staying active. It's nice to have a familiar route, and it can be so peaceful.

      Yesterday we went for a walk around our neigbourhood. It was refreshing.

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  11. I have an app on my smartphone STEPLER and I notice that I walk a lot during weekend and I'm adding points that I'm going to use for some service like read magazined free fortwo months, have a bigsale on food for pets!!! Really interesting post, thanksforsharing!!!

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    1. Using an app like STEPLER to track your steps and earn points is a great way to stay motivated and make walking more rewarding. It’s exciting that you can redeem those points for services and treats, like free magazine subscriptions or discounts on pet food! Those kinds of incentives can really make walking feel more valuable.

      Walking more on weekends is also a great habit; it’s a wonderful way to relax and enjoy your time off while being active.

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  12. That's actually a very good idea! Thank you for sharing Melody! xxx

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Thank you for sharing your opinion and thoughts.

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