Pedometer Accuracy Test
DFR Pedometer Accuracy Test
After the British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJOSM) reported on the validity of the inexpensive pedometers, found that only a quarter of pedometers tested were accurate, we thought we’d do some pedometer testing of our own.
The Pedometer Test
We knew our HJ113E Omron Pedometer would be the most accurate, due to the sensor technology that pedometer uses to count steps (compared to the traditional pendulum switch used by other pedometers). We tested this by walking 100 paces then checking the pedometer count, then climbing 100 steps and checking the pedometer count. This was then repeated, and the over all pedometer accuracy was found to be an excellent 97.5%.
The Results from our test*
Pedometer | Accuracy | Sensitivity | Price | |
 | Omron HJ113E | 97.5% | 2.5% under | £29.35 |
 | Tanita Calorie Walk | 96.5% | 3.5% over | £12.71 |
 | Omron HJ109 | 89.2% | 10.8% under | £14.67 |
 | Tanita Pace | 74.1% | 25.9% under | £12.71 |
 | Oregon Calorie | 70% | 30% over | £17.61 |
 | Oregon Panic Alarm | 70% | 30% over | £19.56 |
Pedometer accuracy results compared.
DFR Test | BJOSM Study | |
| Accuracy Within 10% | 28.5% | 25.9% |
| Overestimated | 43% | 65% |
| Underestimated | 57% | 35% |
| Over 50% inaccurate | 0% | 36.6% |
Conclusions
The British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJOSM) study concluded that inexpensive pedometers provide incorrect information on step counts. However a definition of inexpensive is not given, and pedometers tested include those that cost as little as 70p (for example, a pedometer you’d expect as a promotional gift).
Our pedometer tests did not find readings to be as inaccurate as the BJOSM study, and this may be a reflection of the higher value of pedometers tested.
DFR Advice
Although price is often a good indication of quality, you should also look at the brand. Do you recognise the pedometer brand? Do they make related products that may suggest they are an authoritative and trusted brand?
More Info
Read the British Journal of Sports Medicine’s short report on the validity of the inexpensive Stepping Meter in counting steps in free living conditions: A pilot study.
BBC News report on the British Journal of Medicine Study on pedometer accuracy.