Interest in measuring physical activity via motion sensors
within physical education by researchers and practitioners has become apparent. However, with the increased interest and
application, it becomes clear that empirical comparisons of association and
agreement between motion sensors be undertaken.
The aims of this study were to examine: (a) the association and
agreement between the Yamax SW-701 and Walk-for-Life
LS-2505 pedometers in measuring steps during lab and physical education; (b)
the association and agreement between the LS-2505 pedometer and BioTrainer (BioT) Pro bi-axial accelerometer,
and LS-2505 pedometer and RT3 tri-axial accelerometer in measuring physical
activity time during physical education; and (c) the relationship between pedometry and BioT, and pedometry and RT3 during physical education. Data were collected on 231 (12.79±1.10 yrs., 20.46±4.11
kg/m-2) participants in fifth- through
eighth-grade physical education and 26 (13.35±.75 yrs., 28.34±4.25 kg/m-2)
seventh- through eighth-grade students in an exercise science laboratory. Physical activity measures consisted of
pedometer steps per minute (steps/min.-1), pedometer activity time
(LS-2505 only), BioT counts and activity time using a
15-sec. epoch interval, and RT3 counts and activity time using a 1-sec. epoch
interval (i.e., VMag). Physical education physical activity data
were collected with the following parameters: 3 schools, 5 teachers, 18 intact
classes, and 9 content types. Laboratory
activity data were collected on a Quinton treadmill at walking speeds of 4 km/h-1,
6 km/h-1, and a self selected brisk walking speed for a total
treadmill time of 8 minutes. Pearson r correlation coefficients, Bland-Altman
plots, and one-sample t-tests were the applied statistical techniques. Alpha was set at .01. SW-701 and LS-2505 pedometer steps/min.-1
relationships were strong and significant in lab (r=.80) and physical education (r=.98). Pedometer step/min.-1 difference (SW-701
– LS-2505/n) in lab was not
significantly different from 0 (Md=1.04±3.95, p=.19),
but a significant step/min.-1 mean difference in physical education
existed (Md=7.81±5.36). Accelerometry measured
activity time (min.) demonstrated a strong and significant relationship with
LS-2505 pedometer activity time (BioT r=.89; RT3 r=.89). In comparison with accelerometry (BioT
Md=-4.60±3.39
min., p≤.01; RT3 Md=-7.35±3.12
min., p≤.01), LS-2505 pedometer
activity time overestimated physical education physical activity time. The relationship between pedometry
step/min.-1 and accelerometry measures of
counts and activity time were strong (r=.86-.93;
p≤.01). In conclusion, pedometry and accelerometry
measures demonstrated strong and significant associations, but during physical
education agreement between SW-701 and LS-2505 pedometer steps/min.-1
and accelerometry and LS-2505 activity time indicate
that instruments may not give researchers and practitioners similar absolute
activity data.