title: Validity of smartphone pedometer applications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Given the widespread use of smartphone pedometer applications and the relatively limited number of published validity tests, this study examined the validity of three popular commercial smartphone pedometer applications (i.e., Accupedo, Moves, and Runtastic Pedometer).
  
  
  METHODS
  Convenience samples of males and females were recruited for laboratory tests [n = 11; mean: aged 24.18 years (±3.06)] and a free-living test [n = 18; mean: aged 28.78 years (±9.52)].
  
  
  METHODS
  Five conditions were assessed: (a) 20-step test, (b) 40-step stair climbing, (c) treadmill walking and running at different speeds, (d) driving, and (e) 3-day free-living. The Yamax SW-200 pedometer and observed step counts were used as criterion measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analyses identified an unacceptable error percentage in all of the applications compared to the pedometer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the inaccuracy of these applications, caution is required in their promotion to the public for self-monitoring physical activity and in their use as tools for assessing physical activity in research trials.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. krystn.orr@mail.utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Krystn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Orr
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. holly.howe@mail.utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Holly S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. janine.omran@mail.utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Omran
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. krisalexis.smith@mail.utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Kristina A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. tess.palmateer@mail.utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Tess M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Palmateer
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. alvin.ma@mail.utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Alvin E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. guy.faulkner@ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faulkner
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012420:Running; D000068997:Smartphone; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult