Pedometers: Advantages and Disadvantages

This page covers the advantages and disadvantages of pedometers. It discusses the benefits and drawbacks of using these devices.

What are Pedometers?

Introduction:

A pedometer typically comes in the form of a watch and records the number of steps a person takes by detecting motion of the hands or hips.
Distance is calculated as: distance = number of foot steps x size of step
Some pedometers use a GPS receiver chip to estimate the distance traveled.
They can be electronic or electro-mechanical devices with an accuracy of about +/-5%.

Best Pedometers

Modern pedometers provide much more than just distance. They can also track sleep, monitor heart rate, and offer other data analysis.
Pedometers are used not only by regular walkers but also by sports and fitness enthusiasts.
They use motion sensors for measurement of physical activity. Some are designed using a metronome that counts steps by detecting vertical movement.
Figure 1 (above) depicts some of the best pedometers available in the market.

The following are the benefits or advantages of using pedometers:

They are easy to use, simply worn on the wrist or hip.
They are inexpensive and non-invasive.
They are used to measure common activities like walking at schools and workplaces, and are also useful for regular walkers.
Usually, pedometers provide a measurement of the distance traveled on foot. Modern pedometers also provide measurements of energy expended and time, and may also include heart rate monitoring.
Most pedometers recommend 10,000 steps per day.
They can capture both qualitative and quantitative information.
They are quick and easy to use for larger groups, making them cost-effective for large group analysis.

The following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of pedometers:

Some pedometers only assess hip movement.
They are not useful for comparing different age groups of people.
In competitions, there is a chance of tampering by participants.
Some pedometers do not deliver accurate results while jogging or running. Hence, assessment is restricted to walking.
They are most useful for measuring distance traveled when the stride length of the participants is known.