Measuring Physical Activity of Elementary School Children With Unsealed Pedometers: Compliance, Reliability, and Reactivity.

Background And Purpose: Evidence of compliance, reliability, and reactivity of using pedometers in children remains inconsistent. This study aimed to examine these aspects of unsealed pedometers.

Methods: There were 133 children who wore pedometers for 7 days. A subsample of 50 children completed surveys measuring self-efficacy, enjoyment, parental influence, and environment on Day 1 and 8. Investigator presence and incentives were used to increase compliance.

Results: About 87% of children returned pedometers, with 62% wearing pedometers for 4 days or longer. The intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from .70 to .87, with ICC for 4-day pedometer steps exceeding .80. Wearing pedometers did not change pedometer steps nor alter children's perceptions of self-efficacy, enjoyment, parental influence, and environment significantly.

Conclusions: Children were compliant wearing pedometers, and there was no reactivity from wearing them.