How Accurate are Pedometer Cell Phone Applications?

Accurate pedometers are useful tools to motivate and estimate physical activity. There are today free pedometer applications available for download to cell phones, thus enabling measurements by a device already worn. It is important to evaluate their accuracy and appropriate ways to wear the cell phone when using pedometer applications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of six different free pedometer applications for three different cell phones, worn at three different cell phone positions. 10 test persons performed test sequences of 200 steps with each application, cell phone, and cell phone position. Only one application and cell phone combination showed a good accuracy with reasonable low standard deviation, especially in one of the cell phone positions. The majority of applications evaluated in this study, did not show high accuracy. There is a need of further evaluation of pedometer cell phone applications.