People who are overweight or obese may get more physical activity when they participate in step-counting contests than when they simply use activity trackers to monitor their own steps, a US study suggests.

Researchers asked 602 adults with overweight and obesity to wear step trackers and set goals to increase their daily steps. 

They then sorted them into four groups: one that only counted steps, and three other groups that also had games designed to inspire more movement through either encouragement, prizes or competition.

The games lasted 24 weeks. By the end, all three of the games-based groups increased step counts more than the control group of people simply tracking their own movements.