Is there an issue here? Yes.
Pedometer accuracy in slow walking older adults
Jessica B. Martin, MPT, Katarina M. Krč, MPT, Emily A. Mitchell, MPT, Janice J. Eng, PT/OT, Ph.D., and Jeremy W. Noble, Ph.D.
Author information ► Copyright and License information ►
Go to:
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine pedometer accuracy during slow overground walking in older adults (Mean age = 63.6 years). A total of 18 participants (6 males, 12 females) wore 5 different brands of pedometers over 3 pre-set cadences that elicited walking speeds between 0.3 and 0.9 m/s and one self-selected cadence over 80 meters of indoor track. Pedometer accuracy decreased with slower walking speeds with mean percent errors across all devices combined of 56%, 40%, 19% and 9% at cadences of 50, 66, and 80 steps/min, and self selected cadence, respectively. Percent error ranged from 45.3% for Omron HJ105 to 66.9% for Yamax Digiwalker 200. Due to the high level of error across the slowest cadences of all 5 devices,
Jessica B. Martin, MPT, Katarina M. Krč, MPT, Emily A. Mitchell, MPT, Janice J. Eng, PT/OT, Ph.D., and Jeremy W. Noble, Ph.D.
Author information ► Copyright and License information ►
Go to:
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine pedometer accuracy during slow overground walking in older adults (Mean age = 63.6 years). A total of 18 participants (6 males, 12 females) wore 5 different brands of pedometers over 3 pre-set cadences that elicited walking speeds between 0.3 and 0.9 m/s and one self-selected cadence over 80 meters of indoor track. Pedometer accuracy decreased with slower walking speeds with mean percent errors across all devices combined of 56%, 40%, 19% and 9% at cadences of 50, 66, and 80 steps/min, and self selected cadence, respectively. Percent error ranged from 45.3% for Omron HJ105 to 66.9% for Yamax Digiwalker 200. Due to the high level of error across the slowest cadences of all 5 devices,
- the use of pedometers to monitor step counts in healthy older adults with slower gait speeds is problematic
.
- Further research is required to develop pedometer mechanisms that accurately measure steps at slower walking speeds
this is an old article, but I think it tells us they why of it?
NOtive how we can like software part of QUIK?
NOtive how we can like software part of QUIK?
More about what QUIK allows, not so hard to inderstand, ie don’t have to be an EE.
Fast to market compared to silicon.
That none of it is ever going to be DONE, they will just keep making it better.
Fast to market compared to silicon.
That none of it is ever going to be DONE, they will just keep making it better.
THanks for the incremental imporvements QUIK
FACTORS THAT REDUCE STEP-COUNTING ACCURACY OF PEDOMETERS
Very Slow Walking:
Several studies show that very slow walking (54 meters/minute) can impair the performance of pedometers substantially. In one study ofsidents, even the very accurate Yamax DigiWalker SW-200 pedometer underestimated step count by 74% during slower walking (Cyarto EV, et al. 2004). The “shuffling nursing home re gait” (see below) in these subjects also contributed to the low accuracy. In another study, pedometers underestimated actual step count by 20-33% (depending on the wearing position) at a walking speed of 54 meters/minute (Swartz AM, et al. 2003). But, at more typical walking speeds between 67 and 107 meters/minute (the textbook value for walking speed by healthy adults is 84 meters/minute), the Yamax SW-200 has been shown to be highly accurate (LeMasurier GC, et al. 2003).
Yes, others will have solutions to this issue also. Consider that we have a roadmap of more complex algos and that they will also
follow this theme of the pedometer for of fast evolution for better results in all conditions.
follow this theme of the pedometer for of fast evolution for better results in all conditions.
digression. swimming stroke counter?
A lot of devices are NOT waterproof.
Watches For Swimming Laps | 5 Best Counter Picks, Advice and Tips
Updated on January 4, 2015
Updated on January 4, 2015
Source: Agaumont on Flickr
Finding a Good Swim Lap Watch:
Finding a Good Swim Lap Watch:
I really enjoy a good swim. It’s a whole body exercise that is gentle on the joints and leaves you feeling great. I’m terrible at keeping track of time and laps, however. Finding the best watch for swimming laps can really help you with your exercise and lets you set goals and push the limit for a better result.
Recently, a lot of swim lap watches have hit the market, and they’re becoming really popular among avid swimmers. They’re completely waterproof and let you keep track of how many laps you’ve done. Some of the fancier ones have extra features like wireless functionality and pace measurement. They encourage a swimmer to go faster and farther and they’re reasonably comfortable to wear too.
Because there are so many brands entering this market, I wanted to write an article outlining a few of the best watches for swimming laps so that you can easily find a good brand name that will last. We’ll be looking at five of my favorites, identifying the individual features and capabilities of each one, and mentioning any drawbacks that might be important to consider. Let’s get going!
Common Features of Swim Lap Counter Watches
There are a few common features that a lot of modern swim lap counter watches tend to have these days. Here are a few things that can be found on contemporary products. There might be something here you want to zero in on specifically.
Swim Stroke Count:
Most of the best watches for swimming laps will include a stroke counter of some kind. They all work differently, but most have gyroscopic technology which detects each time you lift your arms. This is valuable if you’re into efficiency, and lets you find the perfect number of strokes per lap. Some will even detect the type of stroke you’re using automatically!
Can skip the rest of this article, that just says there is a LOT more than could be done in this arena but its something to add to the library.
Lap Counter:
Lap Counter:
All of the watches for swimming laps that I’ll be reviewing will have the capability to monitor how many laps you have swum. Personally this is the key feature for me; I tend to get lost in my head when I swim and constantly lose track of how many laps I’ve gone. With a watch like this, that’s not an issue anymore.
Pace:
Many of the better watches for swimming will also track and monitor your pace for each lap, which is a great feature if you’re trying to improve your time and track your progress. If you like tracking that sort of thing, it’s worth looking for.
Garmin Swim Lap Watch with Garmin Connect
This particular watch is a best seller, and it incorporates a lot of great features into a refined product. This is one of the best watches for swimming laps if you’re interested in tracking your progress, because it makes use of wireless Garmin Connect functionality, it will automatically connect to your computer when it’s within range and download all of your swim data. You can then view and track your progress for each swim.
In addition to this wireless technology, you also have an array of great features. You can track how many laps you have swum, along with built in stroke count technology which also detects the stroke you’re doing. It also tracks distance and pace, so you’ve got a lot to work with, along with conventional timekeeping, stopwatch and other features you’d expect on a digital watch. There’s even a pause button for if you need to take a break.
Some users have noticed that it can get confused if your strokes are a bit sloppy, and it will also give strange results if you break without hitting pause. Overall it is remarkably accurate and ready to use out of the box.
Comfortable and streamlined, this is one of the best watches for swimming laps in a pool and it looks great out of the water too. It’s definitely worth your time to take a look at.
Swimovate Pool Mate Swim Lap Watch, Unisex
Swimovate has a clever name, and as it implies they’re innovators in the field of swim technology. The Pool Mate watch is a sleek, comfortable and affordable timepiece with some awesome features, and I consider it one of the best watches for swimming laps for that reason.
The Pool Mate is perfect for anyone who doesn’t have time to fiddle around with settings and buttons. It’s really simple to operate and has algorithms that automatically detect just about everything. It will detect the number of laps taken, the number of strokes per lap, the type of stroke that you are swimming, and the pace of each lap. It can store up to 400 sessions in its internal memory, and you can go through afterwards to monitor how you did. It even measures other stuff like you’d expect in a sports watch, such as calories burned, distance travelled, etc. There’s stopwatch and timer functionality if you need it.
The one real downside as I see it is the watch does not connect and let you download to a computer. You have to monitor and record data manually, if you’re interested in doing so. For anyone who likes to analyze their swim in detail this will be a drawback.
It’s comfortable, sleek and has powerful functions for such a small little device. It’s among the best watches for swimming laps and it’s quite affordable compared to higher end brands and products.
Garmin Forerunner 910XT GPS Sport Watch
This one is a bit pricier, but it has a wide range of use, and if you’re a person who loves sports and fitness of all kinds, this is the watch for you.
First off, the Garmin Forerunner is a fantastic watch for swimming laps. It comes with the capability to keep track of pool lengths that you have swum, total distance travelled, stroke count, and it can identify the type of stroke that you’re doing. Since it’s GPS enabled with Garmin’s technology, you can even track your swim on a map if you were doing open water swimming. Seriously, it’s one of the best watches for swimming laps hands down.
Out of the water there is a vast range of data options on this watch. You can measure a run very easily, and it will keep track of distance, time, pace and speed. This watch will even keep track of altitude to let you know how much uphill and downhill running you did.
That is not all! This is also a capable cycling computer, and it will connect with a wireless cadence sensor for your bicycle to track your progress on wheels too. You can opt for the heart rate monitor package if you like. Also, like the swim watch reviewed above, this one works with Garmin Connect and lets you download to your computer.
The main knock against it is the higher price point, but it’s one of the best watches for swimming laps, and outside of that it is remarkably feature rich. It’s the ideal sports watch for the exercise junky!
Speedo Polyurethane Watch for Swimming Laps:
Speedo produces a wide range of entry level swim lap watches at a very reasonable price point. They’re all fairly basic in functionality, and I don’t overly recommend the extremely inexpensive models.
This particular watch is a polyurethane model that has basic but pretty decent features and makes a fine watch and swim aid for many people. This one has a built in memory that can keep track of up to 150 laps. It has a 10 segment interval timer that is great for keeping track of how long you’ve been swimming for. It also makes use of ‘hydro push’ buttons and it’s water resistant to over 300 feet, which is actually more than most of the watches listed here (not that you’ll ever be swimming that deep!). It has a really crisp liquid crystal display that’s easy to read even when under water, and features up to 3 alarms.
It’s not nearly as feature rich as some of the models listed above. That said, it’s one of the best watches for swimming laps if you don’t have a lot of money to spend. Speedo also has a number of even more inexpensive swim lap watches and timers that you could consider, though quality is definitely lost as the price goes down.
SportCount Lap Counter and Timer
I’m including this as an option even though it’s not strictly a swim lap ‘watch’. This is a lap counter and timer combination from SportCount. It’s really tiny and it’s intended to be worn on your finger as you swim. After each lap you just click the button to keep count, making it part of your routine.
This tiny device is in some ways better than a watch for swimming laps because it’s smaller and easier to use. After your swim is done you can analyze the data, and it will tell you your fastest, slowest and average lap time. The timer function also keeps track of how long you have been swimming for.
It’s actually very easy to use and it won’t interrupt your swim stroke, and it is very inexpensive, but it’s not for everyone, some people prefer a more automated approach.
