2020, Volume 12, Issue 4
Accuracy of “S Health” pedometer application during walking and stair climbing
Mateja Šinkovec1, Darja Rugelj1
1Biomechanical Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana
Author for correspondence: Darja Rugelj; Biomechanical Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana; email: darja.rugelj@zf.uni-lj.si
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Abstract
Background: The S Health application provides an estimate of the amount of physical activity by measuring the number of steps during activities. The purpose was to assess the accuracy of step-counting with different smartphones using the S Health step counting application at long and short walking distances, and stair climbing.
Material and methods: 26 participants (aged 28.85 ± 4.85 years) conducted three tests: 20-step test, 60-step stair test, and 6-minute walk test. Three smartphones models of the latest generation and two models of an earlier one were assessed. The StepWatch pedometer was used as a criterion.
Results: Only one phone of the latest generation produced the most consistent and accurate results as compared to the pedometer in the 60-step stair test and 6-minute walk test (r=0.840), while the correlation of the other four smartphones was weak, from r=0.257 to r=0.482. Generally, the accuracy increased with the increasing amount of steps in all devices and the mean absolute percentage error decreased. Errors ranged between 5.8 and 56.9% for the 20-step test, 1.9-22.4% for the 60-step stair test, and 1.1-17.8% for the 6-minute walk test.
Conclusion: The results suggest that accuracy of smart-phones increase with increased number of steps and correspond to newer models
Key words: measurement, agreement, walking, wearable technology, step-counting