Measurement of daily walking distance-questionnaire versus pedometer.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared measurements of daily walking distance on the College Alumnus questionnaire (CAQ) and a pedometer.


METHODS
A total of 96 men and women (25-70 yr of age) with a wide range of physical activity habits were studied. Physical activity index was computed from the College Alumnus questionnaire (PAI-CAQ) as the sum of the energy expended in stair climbing, walking, and sports and recreational physical activity. Data on walking distance were compared with values obtained from the Yamax electronic pedometer (DW-500B). Participants wore the pedometer for 7 consecutive days, except when sleeping, showering, or performing sports and recreational activities.


RESULTS
Subjects underestimated their daily walking distance on the CAQ, compared with the pedometer (1.43 +/- 1.01 vs 4.17 +/- 1.61 km x d(-1)). The energy expended in walking was correspondingly lower on the CAQ, compared with the pedometer-derived values (555 +/- 405 versus 1608 +/- 640 kcal x wk(-1)).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that electronic pedometers are useful for examining questions about walking distance on physical activity questionnaires.
Bassett
D R
DR
Exercise Science Unit, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37919, USA. DBassett@utk.edu
Cureton
A L
AL
Ainsworth
B E
BE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004215:Distance Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D004581:Electronics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*