Pedometers have been used to count steps for at least 200 years, although the origins of the device are still up for debate. Pedometers have remained popular, due to recommendations such as the American Heart Association's suggestion of taking 10,000 steps per day. While pedometers are designed to count the number of steps a person takes, as opposed to the number of miles walked, the distance a person walks can be easily calculated based on the number of steps taken.
Origins
The inventor of the pedometer is unknown, though there are two people generally given credit for its introduction. The first is Leonardo da Vinci, who is mentioned on the basis of drawings that pictured a device designed to move in conjunction with the legs during walking. The second person credited with the invention of the pedometer is Thomas Jefferson. The problem with crediting Jefferson is that it appears he purchased one while in France. While he may be the man who introduced pedometers to America, it is unlikely that he was the inventor of the device.
Counting Miles
Tracking the number of miles a person has walked is not the intention of a pedometer, but it can be done quickly with just a few calculations. The average person's step is roughly 2 1/2 feet long, which means it would take 2,112 steps to equal one mile, which is 5,280 feet. Those wanting to be a bit more accurate can simply measure their stride in feet and divide by 5,280 to determine how many steps they must take to walk one mile. Women, in particular, may need to take more steps due to a shorter stride.
1960s Explosion
The popularity of pedometers increased dramatically in the 1960s in Japan, where the 10,000-steps-per-day philosophy was born. The Yamasa Corporation nicknamed its pedometer manpo-kei, which translates to "10,000 steps meter." Dr. Yoshiro Hatano is credited for being at the heart of the step-counting trend, and the concept of using a pedometer was endorsed by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Public Welfare. The 10,000-step goal is still frequently used, although that number was partially derived from its marketability. The Japanese Ministry of Health and Public Welfare has established goals of 7,200 steps per day for women and 8,200 for men.
Accuracy
The accuracy of pedometers is a frequent concern of those tracking their steps for health purposes. Testing done by Dan Heil, an exercise physiologist at Montana State University, found that pedometers would begin to wear out, especially the lower-priced models made with a hair-spring mechanism. Older models generally count fewer steps than are taken. The most accurate pedometers are typically made in Japan, as the government regulates that pedometers made in that country must be accurate within 3 percent of total steps taken.
References
- Pedometer Reviews: History of Pedometers
- Montana State University; Hip-Riding Pedometers...; Carol Flaherty; May 2005
- The Walking Site: 10,000 Steps a Day
- American Heart Association: Frequently Asked Questions About Physical Activity
- Club Industry: Stepping Out
- Harvard Health Publications: Counting Every Step You Take
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