Welcome
to this month's coaching section. This issue will focus on using
pedometers as tools for measuring physical activity, in terms of
research and practical applications. Recently, pedometers have become
popular instruments for measuring physical activity in many settings,
such as physical education and fitness. Coaches are interested in
the effectiveness of these instruments as a means to measure progress
in their students, and are trying to figure out how to use them
more reliably.
These issues will be addressed through
two research articles. The first article discusses the effectiveness
of pedometers and how to use them correctly. The second article
provides information about brands of pedometers, companies that
manufacture them, and where and how they may be purchased.
Best wishes on a healthy and active spring
season with more steps and physical activity.
Ferman
Konukman
Coaching & Sports Section Editor
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Can
coaches use pedometers to measure their athletes’ daily physical
activities? - by Bulent Agbuga1, Ferman
Konukman2, Ilker Yilmaz3, Erdal Zorba4
(1) Texas A&M University, Dept. of. Health &
Kinesiology, College Station, TX, (2) Central Washington University,
Dept. of. Health Human Performance and Nutrition, Ellensburg, WA,
(3) Anadolu University, School of Physical Education & Sports,
Eskisehir, Turkey, (4) Mugla University, School of Physical Education
& Sports, Mugla, Turkey
Most people define a sports coach as the individual in charge of
observing individuals' performances to: determine required levels
of instruction and techniques needed for providing additional skills
or improving existing skills, supervise training sessions, plan
training programs, arrange entries into competitions, plan and direct
game strategies, analyze the progress of games or competitions,
and give signals and instructions.
A sports coach, however, should not only
be a supervisor during training sessions, but before and after them
as well. They should help to organize the social, psychological,
and physical sides of their athletes' lives to facilitate increased
performance.
Various techniques have been used to measure
physical activity. The greater part of physical activity data has
been collected using indirect methods, such as questionnaires, or
direct methods, such as accelerometers, heart rate monitors, and
pedometers. Among these data collection methods, pedometers are
relatively inexpensive and are fairly reliable. Furthermore, pedometers
provide immediate feedback to the user on the number of steps taken.
There are, however, two main concerns about pedometers.
First, most pedometer research has focused
on physical activity levels of non-athlete participants (Agbuga,
Xiang & McBRide, 2007; Corbin & Pangrazi, 1998; Tudor-Locke,
Ham, Macera, Ainsworth, Kirtland, Reis, et al., 2004). Although
this research found that pedometers are valid and reliable for measuring
the physical activity levels of participants, no previous pedometer-assessed-steps-per-day
research has been conducted on athletes. This research must be broadened
to include athletes.
Second, physical activity comprises all
types of muscular activity that increase energy expenditure substantially.
Pedometers, however, do not record intensity of specific activities
including swimming, bicycling, and weight training. Furthermore,
it is difficult for coaches to monitor which athletes actually perform
physical activities, or are able to fool pedometers into recording
steps by shaking them.
In conclusion, although pedometers can be
a useful alternative to measuring athletes' daily physical activity
levels, we suggest coaches remain cautious when using these devices.
references
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| RESOURCES
(added by webmaster) |
| Pedometer
FAQs - Some very good questions are asked in regard to pedometers
at this site. I really recommend reading these questions and answers
about pedometer use. And, from PE Central we'll see another very
good
resource containing questions and answers to information in
regard to pedometers. This is also an informational resource
worth reviewing.
Buyer's
Guide to the Best Pedometer
Pedometers are everywhere.
Your local supermarket possibly even sells several varieties. Amazon
lists around 250 pedometer products. In fact, of more than 3,800
health monitor products being sold by Amazon, a pedometer - the
Omron HJ-112 - is the most popular. How do you choose?
Price, accuracy and special features will
be the keys for most people. The links at this site are a guide
to finding the information that you need on the internet.
The Anatomy
of a Pedometer - A few years ago I got the idea that a pedometer
would be a great way to measure my running routes, but was sorely
disappointed by inaccurate devices. With all the different choices
in pedometers now, it is easy to make a mistake. My goal is to share
my findings with those that are interested in making an informed
decision, in hopes that the step counting movement is not squashed
by the poor pedometer experiences found in an Adult Happy Meal and
elsewhere. Read more.
Checking
for Pedometer Accuracy - Here is a quick check that your pedometer
is positioned correctly on your body and is working optimally (counting
accurately). We suggest you FIRST READ, then do, this simple and
quick method of checking your pedometer for accuracy.
From About.com: Top
10 Best Pedometers
You will see varying opinions all over the Internet as to which
pedometers are the best, which is the most popular, which are the
most accurate, etc. For some additional information, and to find
out qualities of some popular brands, you will find some good, additional
information at About.com.
Some more information from About.com: Top
10 Pedometer Walking Programs. For health you should aim for
6000 steps a day, and for weight loss 10,000 steps a day. A pedometer
and log will help motivate you towards that goal. With the programs
listed, a pedometer walking program book, log, or online club is
included.
Activity
Wellness Programs - Some various programs you might be interested
in, or might want to look over at least.
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Is the 3 sport athlete still out there in the High School World? When I was
in High School it was considered a privilege to play
3 sports in High School. Now I see coaches telling their
3 sport athletes that they must chose a sport to focus
on and to forget the others if they want to excel. In my
mind wouldn't you want them to play different sports to
stay in shape,to be a better all around athlete and so
they don't get burned out from the sport and quit? Please
share in the forum. |
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Pedometers:
Which One?- by Bulent Agbuga1,
Ferman Konukman2, Ilker Yilmaz3, Erdal Zorba4
(1) Texas A&M University, Dept. of. Health &
Kinesiology, College Station, TX, (2) Central Washington University,
Dept. of. Health Human Performance and Nutrition, Ellensburg, WA,
(3) Anadolu University, School of Physical Education & Sports,
Eskisehir, Turkey (4) Mugla University, School of Physical Education
& Sports, Mugla, Turkey
In recent years, a wide variety of new electronic pedometers have
been introduced to assess physical activity. Some pedometer models
have a horizontal level arm that moves up and down in response to
vertical displacement of the waist of the wearer. The lever arm
opens and closes an electrical circuit with each step taken, and
the number of steps is counted.
Some pedometer models have a glass-enclosed magnetic reed proximity
switch. However, the accuracy and reliability of these instruments
are questionable. Therefore, coaches and physical education teachers
need to know which pedometer is more accurate for measuring their
athletes' steps and distance during training/classroom
time, or after training/classroom time. We examined several
research articles that will help coaches choose the best pedometers
for their athletes or students.
Crouter, Schneider, Karabulut, & Bassett
(2003) examined the effects of walking speed on the accuracy and
reliability of 10 pedometers:
Overall, they found that the DW model is the most accurate at predicting
steps, distance, and gross kilocalories for walking. The WL model
is close in terms of accuracy, although the reliability coefficient
was only 0.84. The NL and KZ models do not have the ability to measure
distance, but they were among the most accurate at measuring steps
taken. In addition, they have the ability to: a) store multiple
days of data, b) distinguish between the kilocalories expended per
step in walking and running, and c) provide rough estimates of net
and gross energy expenditure.
Schneider, Crouter, Lukajic, & Bassett (2003) also examined
the accuracy and reliability of the following electronic pedometers
for measuring steps:
They found that the KZ, NL, and DW models were the most accurate
in counting steps taken, displaying values that were within +/-3%
of the actual steps taken, 95% of the time. The SL330 and OM models
were the least accurate, displaying values that were within +/-37%
of the actual steps, 95% of the time. The reliability within a single
model (Cronbach's alpha) was >0.80 for all pedometers with the
exception of the SL330 model. The intra-model reliability was exceptionally
high (>0.99) in the KZ, OM, NL, and the DW models.
Furthermore, Schneider, Crouter, & Bassett (2004) compared
the step values of 13 electronic pedometers over a 24-hour period:
The criterion pedometer (YX200) was worn on the left side of the
body, and a comparison pedometer was worn on the right. Steps counted
by each device were recorded at the end of the day for each of the
thirteen pedometers. They found that the KZ, YX200, NL, and YX701
models appear to be suitable for most research purposes.
Although this will give you some idea which pedometer is more
accurate, coaches and physical education teachers should be cautious
about these research results. As Crouter, Schneider, Karabulut,
& Bassett (2003) state in their report, "it is not our
intention to endorse any one pedometer for all purposes. Our objective
is to make researchers aware of the validity of these devices and
allow them to make the judgment of which pedometer to use."
(p. 1459)
We would like to provide you with some web sites that can be helpful
for further research.
references |
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| PEDOMETER
LESSON PLANS (added by webmaster) |
| Steps
to Fitness (with pedometers)
Purpose of Activity: This is a simple way to use pedometers to encourage
movement in game/play/exercise situations. It also allows students
(and teacher) to evaluate the fitness potential of different activities.
Think
Breakfast! (gr K - 2) Learning Objective: This lesson is designed
to help students explore various ways of increasing their physical
activity. Pedometers not only help students develop an understanding
of numbers but also a lesson in safekeeping, as they are each responsible
for their own. Also, by keeping a record of their increased daily
steps (see Trace Your Steps chart, attached), students should begin
to see the benefits of increased physical activity. The use and
ease of their pedometers can become an incentive for students to
incorporate more physical activity into their daily lives, both
in school and at home.
Think
Breakfast! Lesson Plan for grades 4-6. Learning Objective: This
lesson is designed to make students aware of the benefits of walking,
and to help them develop a better understanding of how accessible
it is as a form of physical activity. By exploring the content area,
writing a short report and presenting it to the class, students
will enhance their research, written and oral skills as a result.
Pedometer
Play (gr 2) - Students will use pedometers to record and graph
various activities.
How
Far Can We Go?: Recording Distance with Pedometers and Microsoft
Excel - Students will be working with a partner to complete a fitness
challenge. Students will be wearing a pedometer while moving on
the track. They will record their steps and enter them into a spreadsheet
template. The template will calculate the classes total distance
traveled. For this lesson the instructor will need to create their
own Excel file for entering data. |
| WALKING SCHOOL BUS (added by webmaster) |
| Walking
School Bus - Guidelines for organizers.
Walking
School Bus - The Walking Bus was invented by David Engwicht
in 1991 to overcome the problems of traffic safety and perceptions
of stranger danger. A 'Walking Bus Driver' walks a set route each
morning and afternoon and picks up children at Walking Bus Stops.
Walking Buses can be organized informally with parents and children
making their own arrangements, or in many places it is a formalized
program.
This site offers some great information,
and an article "Is
the Walking School Bus stalled in an evolutionary cul-de-sac?,"
which argues that the Walking Bus is best left as an informal arrangement
and suggests that it should be integrated into new programs such
as Traffic Tamers or Red Sneaker Routes. Find out more.
Walking
School Bus Paves Way to Healthier Kids
From time to time, Education World updates and reposts a previously
published article that we think might be of interest to administrators.
We hope you find this recently updated article to be of value. Updated
09/01/2006.
The
Walking School Bus: Combining Safety, Fun and the Walk to School
- In the search for ways to make walking to school safer, more fun
and more convenient, communities are finding that walking school
buses can make a real difference. Safe Routes to School programs,
which encourage and enable children to safely walk and bicycle to
school, often include walking school buses in their activities.
Very good information here,
so please be sure to read it.
Starting
a Walking School Bus - the basics. Studies show that fewer children
are walking and biking to school, and more children are at risk
of becoming overweight. Changing behaviors of children and parents
require creative solutions that are safe and fun. Implementing a
walking school bus can be both. Find out more.
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| KIDS DRUG FREE (added by webmaster) |
| The
Coaches Playbook Against Drugs - The purpose of this playbook
is to help you as a coach educate your athletes about the dangers
of drugs. Each year, 7 million boys and girls in this nation are
involved in sports at middle schools, junior high schools, or high
schools. These students are the catalysts for a healthy chain reaction
of involvement and school spirit that includes team captains, players,
other students, school personnel, and the community. And it all
begins with you - the coach - as the pivotal player.
6
Tips to Dealing With Your Growing Teenager - Raising kids is
stressful, especially when it involves independence-seeking, boundary-pushing
teenagers. While you want your children to have some autonomy, be
aware that they need your help, guidance, and limits to keep them
on track.
Bridging
the Technical Divide With Your Teen - For unsupervised teens
curious about drugs, the web is a virtual playground of opportunity.
With a click of the mouse your son or daughter can find make-it-yourself
drug recipes, drug users glorifying all types of substance abuse
and phony online "pharmacies" that will fill an order
without a prescription. Read more.
11
Points for Parents to Protect Their Kids - Drug abuse can be
prevented and addiction is a treatable illness.
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| PEER PRESSURE (added by webmaster) |
The
Peer Pressure "Bag of Tricks" Role Playing Lesson for
Middle School Students - Objective: Students will understand
definitions of Pressure, Peer, Peer Pressure, and Spoken and Unspoken
pressure. Students will be able to recognize different types of
pressure - including three Spoken types (Rejection, Put Downs, and
Reasoning) and three Unspoken types (The Huddle, The Look, and The
Example).
The Cool
Spot - This is a great educational site for information on a
alcohol and resisting peer pressure. This is a wonder information
resource for any age. |
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