Pedometers
Pedometers measure steps taken by using sensors that register movement and impact. Accuracy varies and depends largely on technology used and prices. There are two types of pedometers used: swing-arm or pendulum pedometers and accelerometer pedometers.
Swing-Arm Pedometers
The majority of pedometers use swing-arm or pendulum technology to count steps taken. Each time you take a step, the movement causes the swing arm to swing into contact with a post in the middle of the pedometer. The post registers each hit of the swing arm and calculates it as one step. Sometimes the pedometer will make a clicking noise each time the swing arm hits the post. Some pedometers can be adjusted to be more or less sensitive by increasing or decreasing the tension of the swing arm. This is helpful if people have a lighter or heavier step than most, so they can adjust the swing arm and avoid any possibility of the pedometer either counting too many or too few steps.
Accelerometer Pedometers
An accelerometer is an electromechanical that senses movement, force, acceleration and step impact. Accelerometers use a cantilever beam, which is like a swing arm, that connects to tiny electrical circuits. Each time there is movement, the cantilever beam senses the vibration and an electrical charge proportionate to the force is created. Accelerometers are more accurate than swing-arm technology and can also measure acceleration and distance.
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