|
Will my pedometer work on stairs?
Your pedometer should count your steps as you go up and down stairs. Your
day should include steps taken going uphill and downhill, steps
taken going up stairs and down stairs, and steps taken walking
on level ground. Forget those elevators – attack those
stairs!
Back to Top
Do other forms of physical activity
such as swimming and cycling count towards the total number of
steps I do in a day?
Get Moving Berea College recognizes
and encourages people to cross train and do different types of
exercise such as swimming and cycling. Where a pedometer can't
be used for accuracy or practical purposes we have developed
a “formula” to convert those activities
into steps that are good activities, but because of lack of stepping,
your pedometer will not register your efforts.
Physical
Activity Conversion
Mild physical activity
= 250 steps for every 10 minutes (*Mild - no trouble holding
a conversation while active; slightly elevated heart rate)
Moderate physical activity
= 1000 steps for every 10 minute (**Moderate - able to hold
a conversation while active; may be perspiring a little;
quicker heart rate & respirations than mild)
Vigorous physical activity
= 2000 steps for every 10 minutes (***Vigorous – trouble
holding or unable to hold a conversation during activity) |
Back to Top
Why are pedometers being used?
A pedometer is
a tool used to count the number of steps you take each day. It
does this by multiplying the number of steps taken by your stride
length. When used correctly to increase
your daily physical activity in conjunction with a healthy diet
you will burn more energy and become more physically fit. Pedometers
have been shown to be very effective as motivational tools to
encourage people to be more active. They also offer an easy method
to track your progress on a daily basis. The
recommended goal is 10,000 steps a day.
Back to Top
What’s the accuracy rate of a pedometer?
The accuracy of pedometers is within +/- 5%.
Back to Top
I forgot to wear my pedometer for a day(s). Is there any
way to estimate my steps?
Unfortunately, you will not be able to estimate your steps. If
you forget to wear your pedometer, don’t give up participating
in Get Moving Berea College. Any steps you record will contribute
toward your team’s total and will show your personal achievement.
Back to Top
Where do I go to find answers to questions not listed
here?
If you have questions that aren’t answered here, please
send an email with your question or concern to
Back to Top
What happens if I make a mistake and submit an incorrect
number of steps for a week?
We appreciate your double-checking your entry prior to clicking
the submit button. However, we understand that errors may occur.
In these cases, please send an email to
. You
will be assisted in correcting the mistake.
Back to Top
How do I wear my pedometer?
 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.
If you are wearing a dress without a waistband slide the clip
of the pedometer onto the waistband of your underwear.
How NOT to wear your pedometer
 Do not put your pedometer in your pocket- Do not attach your pedometer via the security
strap only.
- Do not wear your pedometer on a slanted pocket.
- Do not attach your pedometer near your belly
button. Position it closer to your hip.
 Do not attach your pedometer where your tummy
will push it out of the vertical position. If your tummy protrudes,
position the pedometer on the side of the hip where it will remain
horizontal.
Remember, you must ensure the pedometer is vertical and not
angled sideways or forwards, otherwise it will not accurately
record your step count.
How do I wear my pedometer if I am wearing a dress?
If you are wearing a dress without a waistband slide the clip of the pedometer
onto the waistband of your underwear. Attach the security strap's bulldog clip
onto your waistband or belt loop. This will ensure the safety of your pedometer.
Back to Top
How many steps should I be taking and why?
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 6,500 to 8,000 depending on their mobility, health condition,
and their general physician’s recommendation.
Back to Top
My pedometer seems to over estimate my steps...
You
may be resetting your pedometer. Walk 10 or so steps
(counting the steps you take in your head) and then open and check
your actual number of steps taken as read by the pedometer. What
you need to realize is that your 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 – you should not be concerned with recording
50 extra steps.
Back to Top
Can my pedometer be attached to a sneaker or shoelace
and still give an accurate reading?
Not likely. You
might be able to position it on the side of your shoe, but you
will need to experiment with that placement. The
pedometer may only pickup the steps of one leg, so you may need
to double the number that reads on the display.
Back to Top
I don’t think my pedometer is working properly. What
should I do?
In most cases, problems with pedometers
accurately recording steps can be remedied by adjusting how the
pedometer is positioned on your body. 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.
Back to Top
Why does my treadmill report a different
distance than my pedometer?
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 centers. Another
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.
Back to Top
My pedometer got wet or went through a washing machine.
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.
Back to Top
How can physical activity help prevent overweight and obesity?
Physical activity, along with a healthy diet, plays an important
role in the prevention of overweight and obesity (USDHHS, 2001).
In order to maintain a stable weight, a person needs to expend
the same amount of calories as he or she consumes.
Although the
body burns calories for everyday functions such as breathing, digestion,
and routine daily activities, many people consume more calories
than they need for these functions each day. A good way to burn
off extra calories and prevent weight gain is to engage in regular
physical activity beyond routine activities.
More Info
Back to Top
What percentage of American adults get enough exercise to achieve cardiovascular
fitness?
Only 22 percent. Fifty-three percent get some exercise, but
not regularly or intensely enough to protect their hearts. Twenty-five
percent aren’t active at all.
Back to Top
|
