Measurement of daily walking distance-questionnaire versus pedometer

Purpose: This study compared measurements of daily walking distance on the College Alumnus questionnaire (CAQ) and a pedometer. Methods: A total of 96 men and women (25-70 yr of age) with a wide range of physical activity hab its were studied. Physical activity index was computed from the College Alu mnus questionnaire (PAI-CAQ) as the sum of the energy expended in stair cli mbing, walking, and sports and recreational physical activity. Data on walk ing distance were compared with values obtained from the Yamax electronic p edometer (DW-500B). Participants wore the pedometer for 7 consecutive days, except when sleeping, showering, or performing sports and recreational act ivities. Results: Subjects underestimated their daily walking distance on t he CAQ, compared with the pedometer (1.43 +/- 1.01 vs 4.17 +/- 1.61 km.d(-1 )). The energy expended in walking was correspondingly lower on the CAQ, co mpared with the pedometer-derived values (555 +/- 405 versus 1608 +/- 640 k cal.wk(-1)). Conclusions: These findings suggest that electronic pedometers are useful for examining questions about walking distance on physical acti vity questionnaires.