Validity and Reliability of an Electronic Pedometer in a Laboratory Setting
J. Andrew Doyle, David A. Dennison, Michael S. Green, Benjamin T. Corona, Andrew Kimball · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2006
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of step counting by the Omron HJ-700IT electronic pedometer. METHODS: Twenty subjects (10 males, 10 females) completed 2 trials of treadmill walking (age = 35.0 ± 10.8 y, height = 1.72 ± 0.10 m, weight = 68.5 ± 13.9 kg, body fat = 20.7 ± 9.8%, BMI = 23.1 ± 3.5kg/m2). Subjects walked for 30 min; 15 min at 67 m/min and 15 min at 93.8 m/min. Steps were counted manually as the criterion measure. Three Omron HJ-700IT pedometers were carried in random order (shirt pocket, belt clip at the hip, and pants pocket). A Yamax Digi-Walker SW-200 was carried on the belt at the right hip. RESULTS: A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures on Trial indicated no significant difference in total steps counted by the HJ-700IT pedometers from the manually counted steps between repeated trials or at any of the three carrying locations. There was a significant difference in steps counted by the Yamax pedometer (P<0.001) compared to counted steps. Pearson's correlation and linear regression of pooled data from Trial 1 and 2 revealed correlations and SEE to the criterion variable (counted steps) for the Omron HJ-700IT of: Shirt (0.991, 27.1), Belt (0.988, 30.5), Pants (0.958, 57.9), and Yamax (0.725, 139.9). Percent error for pedometer-counted steps for the Omron HJ-700IT in the Shirt, Belt, and Pants location were 0.04, 0.15, and 0.67%, respectively compared to −4.21% for the Yamax SW-200 over an average of 3305.8 ± 198.7steps walked. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the Omron HJ-700IT is a highly accurate and reliable pedometer for counting steps during 30 minutes of walking, and is accurate when carried in a shirt pocket, on a belt clip at the hip, and in a pants pocket.