Interinstrument Consistency of the Yamax Digi-Walker Pedometer in Elementary School-Aged Children

Abstract A pedometer is a practical, inexpensive tool used to measure physical activity. Bassett et al. (1996) found that interinstrument consistency of the Yamax Digi-Walker was higher than four other pedometers when measuring distance walked in adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interinstrument consistency of the Yamax pedometer in children. Seventy-one children in Grades 3 to 5 wore one Digi-Walker on each hip during school hours for 1 week. Time and counts data were recorded separately for (a) regular classroom, (b) recess, and (c) physical education class times. Interinstrument reliability for total counts was estimated using one-way analysis of variance intraclass coefficients, adjusted for a single pedometer. Intraclass correlation coefficients were .96 for the whole week, .94 for classroom time, .98 for recess time, and .92 for physical education time. For applied use and research with children, the Yamax Digi-Walker provides a reliable estimate of physical activity.