Comparison of Electronic and Self-Reported Pedometer Step Counts in a Dog Walking Study

1. Abstract Some pedometers capture an electronic record of steps, while others require that participants read step counts from the pedometer and record them in a separate log. This study characterizes discrepancies between self-report and electronic capture of daily step counts, compares compliance between methods over time, and assesses reliability and validity of average daily step counts using both methods. Daily step counts were obtained from a sample of 29 participants over a three-month period using both electronically stored pedometer recordings and paper-and-pencil activity logs based on pedometer readings. Differences in compliance and average step counts between pedometer and self-reported were low to moderate, and self-reported step counts were of sufficient quantity and quality that they provide a reliable, valid and possibly less expensive alternative to pedometer step counts. The purpose of this paper is to identify and characterize discrepancies between self-report and electronic capture of daily step counts in a sample of participants asked to wear a pedometer for three months. We also compare compliance between methods over time, and assess reliability and validity of average daily step counts using both methods. We hypothesize that electronic capture of daily step counts will be associated with higher compliance, and more valid and reliable data than self-report of daily step counts in a hand-written activity log 2. Keywords: Compliance; Dog walking; Physical activity; Reliability; Self-report; Validity