Comparison of pedometer and accelerometer measures of physical activity in preschool children

In this study, daily step counts were recorded for 4 consecutive days in 129 four-and five-year-old children. To compare daily Yamax Digiwalker step counts with minutes of engagement in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), concurrent accelerometer data were collected in a random subsample (n = 76). The average daily step count was 9,980 (+/- 2,605). Step counts and MVPA minutes were strongly correlated (r =.73, p <.00 1). The daily step count of 13,874, equating to 1 -hr MVPA engagement, was reached by 8% of the children. Daily step counts in preschool children give valid information on physical activity levels - daily step counts in preschoolers are low.