Effect of a Mass-Participation Mobile Technology–Based Exercise Program

Mobile lifestyle-modification programs in which pedometers and Web-based communications are used to encourage physical activity have been effective in relatively small studies in workplace settings and populations in high-income countries. In this study, researchers in Australia assessed the real-world effectiveness of such programs in 69,000 people in mostly low- and middle-income countries who participated in a mobile technology–based health program (Stepathlon); 90% of participants were in India; the other 10% were distributed across 63 other countries. The program was conducted as a 100-day global event during each of 3 consecutive years. Participants were organized into workplace-based teams, issued pedometers, and challenged to boost …