How to Measure Distance with a Pedometer
The most basic function of a pedometer is to count your steps over a given distance. Most modern pedometers also use your stride length to measure the distance of a walking or running course, which requires you to calibrate it with your stride length. Some pedometers may also have advanced features such as stopwatch functions and the ability to record your performance.
Instructions
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Select your test course. This will typically be a 400-meter track because this will provide accuracy within a few meters. However, you may use any course if you know its distance with reasonable accuracy.
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Choose a track lane according to your walking or running speed. The innermost lane of a running track is track one and is for fast runners. The outermost lane is lane eight and is for slow walkers. The circumference of a running track is 400m in lane one, 407m in lane two, 413m in lane three, 420m in lane four, 427m in lane five, 434m in lane six, 440m in lane seven and 447m in lane eight.
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Walk or run once around the track, counting the number of steps you take as you do so. Remain within your selected lane throughout the circuit.
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Compute the average length of your stride in inches with the formula S = 39.37 x D / N, where S is your stride length in inches, D is the distance of your test course and N is the number of steps required to cover that course. For example, you walked around this course in lane two using 440 steps. Your stride length is 39.37 x 407 / 440, or 37.3 inches.
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Enter your average stride length into your pedometer and reset the counter to zero according to your model. Wear your pedometer correctly so that it will record your steps. This generally means that you should place the pedometer around your waist and above your thigh. Your pedometer should increase its step count each time you take a step.
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References
- Photo Credit pedometer with tape measure image by Andrew Brown from Fotolia.com
