By Matthew Bassett
Part 1 of a 4 part series on pedometers in physical education.
Pedometers have become an easy tool to use in physical education. A simple pedometer will track the number of steps a person takes. A more advanced pedometer can also measure activity time (time the pedometer is moving), distance traveled and even calories burned. Before using a pedometer, a teacher must decide the purpose for its use in class in class.
First, pedometers can be used to track data. A student who wears a pedometer can record the number of steps, activity time, calories burned or distance traveled. A teacher can use stations and ask the students to use the pedometers to track a whole class period, sections of a class period or to compare different tasks over time.
Second, pedometers can be used as a simple technology integration. Technology integration can help motivate students. This motivation can increase movement quality or quantity since students can see physical data about their exercise.
Third, pedometers can now be used to track moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Some of the newest pedometers actually have an MVPA function but these are more costly models. Using a simple guide of 100 steps per minute can help move a student into moderate physical activity. We can now start using this guide as a way to track MVPA with out students without having to use expensive heart rate monitors or having to trust that students are taking their pulses correctly.
No matter which reason, or reasons, for using pedometers, a teacher interested in using pedometers must first experiment with how to use them.
Next week: Part 2–Eight Helpful Hints for Using Pedometers