Q. Why should
I only consider a Yamax (step1) Pedometer?
A. There are several commercially available brands
of electronic pedometers, for example, the Yamax Digi Walker
(Tokyo, Japan), Freestyle Pacer (Camarillo, CA) and Eddie
Bauer Compustep II (Redmond, WA). Collectively, the results
of three studies (Bassett, 1996; Gretebeck, 1992; Eston,
1998) concluded that the Japanese developed Yamax Digi Walker
series (200-700) was the most accurate.
A new study in the prestigious journal
"Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise" comprehensively
evaluated the validity and reliability of the top 10 commercial
pedometers. The authors concluded that "Overall it appears
that the [Yamax] Digiwalker is the most accurate in predicting
steps, distance, and gross kilocalories for walking
(Croutter, Schneider, Karabulut, & Bassett, 2003, p. 1459).
Comparison of five brands of electronic
pedometers over a 4.88 km footpath course (Bassett, 1996).
References:
Bassett DRJ, Ainsworth BE, Leggett SR, Mathien JA, Hunter
DC, Duncan GE. Accuracy of five electronic pedometers for
measuring distance walked. Medicine & Science in Sports and
Exercise 1996;28:1071-1077.
Hatano Y. Use of the pedometer
for promoting daily walking exercise. International Council
for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation 1993;29:4-8.
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Q. How many
steps in YOUR day?
A. You can measure the number of steps in your day
using a pedometer - a small electronic device that attaches
to a waist band and counts the number of steps you take.
Some models also tell you how far you have
walked and estimate how much energy you have used.
There are several pedometers on the market.
However, in terms of accuracy, reliability, ease of use, and
cost, the DIGI-WALKER pedometer is the best. Research shows
that the Japanese YAMAX DIGI-WALKER is the most reliable and
accurate (Bassett et al, 1996).
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Q. How many
steps should I be taking and why?
A. Recent evidence suggests that young, healthy adults
should aim to take 10,000 steps every day. Children and
adolescents should aim for more, approximately 12-14,000
steps a day. *Older adults should aim for a little less
than 10,000 depending on their mobility.
However some people only manage to take
about 3,000 steps each day - walking to the car, walking to
get food/drinks, around the workplace or home - not even getting
up to change the TV channel. All the 'action' has been replaced
by easier options. As a result of this inactivity, New Zealanders
are less fit and more overweight, and are suffering from many
of the health problems which result from too much sitting.
*If you are older or have a health problem
or a disability ask your doctor or contact
us about modifying your target.
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| Q.
How do I wear my pedometer?
A. Easy
- the pedometer should be placed mid-way between the
hip and front. Ideally it should attach to the belt
or trouser top.
Slide the clip
of the pedometer onto your waistband or belt directly
in line with your foot. You must ensure the pedometer
is vertical and not angled sideways or forwards, as
it will not accurately record your step count.
|
|
With the pedometer clip against your body
you can now open the pedometer without removing it from your
waistband as the screen will be facing you.
If you are wearing a dress without a waistband
slide the clip of the pedometer onto the waistband of your
underwear. If purchased, attach the security strap's bulldog
clip onto your waistband or belt loop. This will ensure the
safety of your pedometer.
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Q. My
pedometer seems to over estimate my steps
A. Here's a question from a recent customer....
Hello there, I have received my pedometer
thank you. However, a question! Can you please tell me why
it might be registering many more steps than I am actually
taking....flattering though it is. It seems to be registering
about 45% more than I am walking. The stride is set at 60cm
(I have short legs!)
A reply from Louise our expert in pedometer
use... Glad you received your pedometer ok! Your Yamax pedometer
is 100.6% accurate at measuring the number of steps taken
when worn for at least 1000 steps - what I am getting at is
you say that you are registering about 45% more than you are
walking - I can only imagine that you are resetting your pedometer
walking 10 or so steps (counting the steps you take in your
head) and then opening and checking your actual number of
steps taken as read by the pedometer. What you need to realise
is that a Yamax pedometer has a very precise mechanism (a
pendulum system) that detects any form of motion - when you
reset your pedometer then fiddle with it a bit as you attach
it to your waistband this records some extra steps (around
5-8) the same when you take it off, also during the course
of the day it might register a few (and I mean a few!) steps
when it should not - say when you go over a bump in the car
- but the point is even if the pedometer picks up a total
of 50 extra steps over the course of the day in the context
of aiming for 10,000 or even 3 or 4000 for that matter - 50
extra steps is nothing. Below I have quoted from a research
article published in the Journal of Medicine, Science, Sports
& Exercise that concluded that the Yamax is the most accurate
pedometer available. "One study demonstrated that the Yamax
brand of pedometer recorded 100.7% (left) and 100.6% (right)
of all steps taken when using adult participants
(Bassett et al., 1996)".
The reason that the Yamax is 100.6% and
100.7% accurate is because of those extra 50 or so steps it
records during the course of wearing it for a whole day -
assuming that you do not take it on and off every 5 minutes!!
I have attached to this email a summary
two-page document outlining how reliable the Yamax pedometer
is. Do be aware that while the steps recorded over the day
is a very accurate reflection of the actual number of steps
you did, the distance travelled and the kilocalories used
(assuming you have an SW700 model) is only an estimation because
of course even though you have entered in your stride length
- every step you take during the day will not be that exact
length - regarding the kilocalories used - some activities
are more intense than others.
Sorry to rabbit on and bore you to tears
- I am currently just completing a PhD in the area of adolescent
public health - one of my studies used Yamax pedometers to
encourage overweight adolescent girls to move more during
the day - for this research I had to do a lot of work in finding
out what the most accurate and reliable brand of pedometer
was and I have to be able to justify it if I am to get my
findings published - which is the goal!
Cheers, Louise
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Q. Something
is moving inside my pedometer. Is that normal?
A. Yes. That's the suspended lever arm which moves
up and down as you move. You'll notice that the lever arm
counts "steps" when you shake or move the pedometer. That,
too, is normal - but it's not a very healthy way to get your
steps in!
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Q. I don't
think my pedometer is working properly. What should I do?
A. In most cases, problems with pedometers accurately
recording steps can be remedied by adjusting how the pedometer
is positioned on your body.
For pedometer models, it's essential that
the pedometer remain upright because of how the internal mechanism
works. If your tummy is pushing the pedometer out of its upright
position, you may be getting inaccurate results. Wearing the
pedometer on your waistband directly under your armpit may
solve this problem.
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Q. Will my
pedometer work properly if it's in my pocket?
A. No. If the pedometer has room to move around in
your pocket. It's not likely to remain vertical, which means
it will be unable to count your steps accurately.
For accurate readings your pedometer must
be in an upright, vertical position at all times.
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Q. Why does
my treadmillreport a different distance than my pedometer?
A. Some people find that if they wear their pedometer
while walking on a treadmill, their pedometer might report
a different mileage reading than the treadmill.
For some people this discrepancy can be
troublesome because they don't know whether their treadmill
is off or the pedometer is off.
There are three possibilities for such
discrepancies: First, unless you have your treadmill calibrated
regularly, it is most likely inaccurate. The only treadmills
that are calibrated regularly are probably those in human
performance labs or cardiac centres. A second possibility
is that you've figured your stride length inaccurately. A
third possibility has to do with the change in the length
of your stride as you change the speed or incline on your
treadmill. You must realize that your stride length does not
remain constant.
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Q. Can I wear
my pedometer around my neck on a lanyard?
A.
No - this
will not allow the pedometer to accurately record your step
counts.
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Q. Will a
pedometer work on stairs? I want to increase my activity
by using the stairs in our apartment building. If it works
on stairs, how is stride on stairs calculated?
A. Your pedometer will count your steps as you go up
and down stairs, but it will calculate the distance based
on the walking stride length that you entered into your pedometer.
I wouldn't advise trying to figure out a "stair stride length"
for the distance calculation. Ultimately, everyone's goal
is to increase physical activity energy expenditure to about
300-400 kilocalories per day to achieve the most health benefits.
The simplest way to do that is taking 10,000 Steps a day.
This includes steps taken going uphill and downhill, steps
taken going up stairs and down stairs and steps taken walking
on level ground. I think your decision to use the stairs in
your apartment building is a great one! Your pedometer will
count each step (stair).
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Q. Will my
pedometer work when riding a bike or must it be a walking/running
activity?
A. A pedometer may record
some cycling activity (pedal revolutions perhaps), but a
pedal revolution will not expend the energy that a walking
or running step will expend. Ultimately we are trying to
measure/estimate energy expenditure. There are cyclo-computers
for bikes that are very inexpensive. You might consider
using one of them.
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Q. My pedometer
is jammed on a number, reads blank, or reads '88888'
A. This can usually be solved by removing the back
cover with a coin, screwdriver or similar and removing the
battery and reseating it. The reseated battery will reset
the nit and it should be fine. If you have had your unit for
a while (> 1 year) you may need to replace your battery.
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Q. My pedometer
got wet or went through a washing machine
A. While it is not recommended, pedometers have been
known to survive a trip through the washing machine or a dip
in the toilet. (However, the heat from a dryer is usually
detrimental.) If your pedometer gets wet, here's what you
need to do: Remove the battery immediately. Let the pedometer
unit dry out for at least 24 hours and then put a new battery
in (for pedometer models, you need an LR-44 battery).
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Q. Keep your
fingers crossed! Replacing the battery?
A. Your pedometer lets you know when its battery is
low by dimming its display.
| Here's
how to change the battery: |
| 1. |
Obtain a LR-44 battery
(readily available at discount, office supply or watch/camera
stores). |
| 2. |
Open the back of the step
counter. To do this place a coin in the slot on the bottom
of the pedometer. Turn the coin and snap the cover open.
Gently lift the cover. Replace the "dead" battery with
the new one, making sure the "+" sign faces you. Replace
the cover, making sure it is properly aligned before you
snap it shut. Make sure the cover is secure. |
| 3. |
Perform a self-test. To
do this hold down all the buttons simultaneously for five
seconds. When the display goes blank, remove your fingers
from the buttons. Your display should show "88888" and
then "0". If not, remove the battery and then put it back
in. Your display should read "0". |
