Accuracy of pedometer steps and time for youth with disabilities

Abstract

The goal of the study is to determine pedometer accuracy of steps and time for children with disabilities. Eleven girls and seven boys with multiple developmental disabilities participated in six, 80 meter self-paced walking trials. Pedometers were placed in five locations around the waist: front right [FR], front left [FL], back right [BR], back left [BL], and middle back [MB]. Each trial was video taped and actual steps and time were verified using video recordings. Accuracy was determined by percent difference between registered steps and time on the pedometers to actual steps and a time measured by video recordings. A high level of accuracy was found for the FR and BL locations for time, while only the FR location demonstrated adequate accuracy for steps. When one outlier with excessive weight status and slow walking speed was excluded, a high level of accuracy was observed across all locations for steps and time. Differences between pedometer locations were insignificant, with the exception of FL steps which demonstrated greater percent error scores and the pedometers measured time more accurately than steps. Time showed higher precision when compared to steps in both the full and outlier excluded samples. Location had minimal influence on accuracy, suggesting placements of the pedometer out of view (BR, BL, MB) can be used to minimize wearer interference. Concern needs to be exercised when using this pedometer with youth that exhibit a combination of excessive weight status and slow walking speed.