Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
Assessing the Accuracy of Fitness Smartwatch Data for Cardiovascular and Physical Activity Monitoring: A Validation Study in Digital Health
Published on: February 21, 2025
Validity of smartphone pedometer applications
Krystn Orr1, Holly S Howe2, Janine Omran3
1Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. krystn.orr@mail.utoronto.ca.
Background:
Given the widespread use of smartphone pedometer applications and the relatively limited number of published validity tests, this study examined the validity of three popular commercial smartphone pedometer applications (i.e., Accupedo, Moves, and Runtastic Pedometer).
Participants:
Convenience samples of males and females were recruited for laboratory tests [n = 11; mean: aged 24.18 years (±3.06)] and a free-living test [n = 18; mean: aged 28.78 years (±9.52)].
Methods:
Five conditions were assessed: (a) 20-step test, (b) 40-step stair climbing, (c) treadmill walking and running at different speeds, (d) driving, and (e) 3-day free-living. The Yamax SW-200 pedometer and observed step counts were used as criterion measures.
Results:
Analyses identified an unacceptable error percentage in all of the applications compared to the pedometer.
Conclusions:
Given the inaccuracy of these applications, caution is required in their promotion to the public for self-monitoring physical activity and in their use as tools for assessing physical activity in research trials.
