This study examined whether daily step counts under free‒living conditions differed among four types of pedometers as used by 5‒to‒6 year old children. In Study one, we compared the Kenz Lifecorder EX and Omron Active style Pro as accelerometer‒based pedometers (n=11). In Study two, we compared the Kenz Lifecorder EX (n=22) or the Omron Active style Pro (n=24) and the Yamax SW‒200 (widely used in research) and the YAMASA EX‒200 (pants pocket‒type pedometer). In Study one, the correlation was strong (r=0.825) ; the average difference between these two pedometers was -27.7％. In Study two, correlations between the Kenz Lifecorder EX and the Yamax SW‒200 or the YAMASA EX‒200 were moderate (r=0.657) or strong (r=0.817) ; the average differences between pedometers were -17.3％ and -15.6％, respectively. Correlations between the Omron Active style Pro and the Yamax SW‒200 or YAMASA EX‒200 were moderate (r=0.688) or strong (r=0.880) ; the average differences between pedometers were +28.7％ and +8.6％, respectively. In conclusion, the choice of pedometer had a substantial impact on step counts in young children.
