Using Wireless Pedometers to Measure Children’s Physical Activity: How Reliable is the Fitbit Zip?

The purpose of this study is to examine the reliability of wireless pedometers in measuring elementary school children’s physical activity. Activity measurement using a wireless pedometer Fitbit Zip was compared to activity measurement using Yamax Digital-Walker SW701 for a group of randomly selected 25 children in Grades 3, 4, and 5 (n =25). Fitbit Zip wireless pedometers were found to have an appropriate degree (Nunnally & Bernstein, 1994) of accuracy and reliability compared to the Yamax SW701 pedometer. The Fitbit Zip wireless pedometer collected more step counts than the Yamax SW701 pedometer; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Participants reported that they preferred wearing the Fitbit Zip to the Yamax SW701 because the Fitbit Zip was more comfortable to wear and less likely to fall off. Participants also reported being more motivated to move while wearing the Fitbit Zip.