Activity Monitors Step Count Accuracy in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Objective: To examine the step count accuracy of activity monitors in community-dwelling older adults. Method: Twenty-nine participants aged 67.70 ± 6.07 participated. Three pedometers and the Actical accelerometer step count functions were compared with actual steps taken during a 200-m walk around an indoor track and during treadmill walking at three different speeds. Results: There was no statistical difference between activity monitors step counts and actual steps during self-selected pace walking. During treadmill walking at 0.67 m∙s-1, all activity monitors step counts were significantly different from actual steps. During treadmill walking at 0.894m∙s-1, the Omron HJ-112 pedometer step counts were not significantly different from actual steps. During treadmill walking at 1.12 m∙s-1, the Yamax SW-200 pedometer steps were significantly different from actual steps. Discussion: Activity monitor selection should be deliberate when examining the walking behaviors of community-dwelling older adults, especially for those who walk at a slower pace.