title: Pedometer steps-per-minute, moderate intensity, and individual differences in 12- to 14-year-old youth.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Researchers have noted both the utility and limitations of using pedometers to measure physical activity (PA). While these unobtrusive devices are widely accepted for their ability to measure accumulated PA, they have been criticized for their inability to measure exercise intensity. However, recent steps-per-minute (SPM) research provides reasonably accurate measures of intensity allowing users to assess time spent at recommended PA levels. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the SPM taken that are associated with moderate physical activity in 12- to 14-year-old youth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-three participants (49 boys and 44 girls; ages 12 to 14) walked on a treadmill for 3 minutes at each of 4 different speeds while wearing a pedometer and a heart rate monitor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On average boys and girls reached their moderate activity intensity threshold at 122 SPM and 102 SPM, respectively. However, individual differences must be taken into account when determining appropriate SPM intensities for youth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The impact of individual differences underscores the need to address SPM for moderate intensity individually rather than with a single guideline for everyone at this age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Susan Vincent
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Graser
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Groves
authors.forename: Keven A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Prusak
authors.forename: Todd R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Pennington
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*