The aim of this study was to develop the accuracy of accelerometer-type pedometer used by the elderly during walking with a cane. The attendees of the gait training at the commuting rehabilitation services center participated in this study. Eighteen subjects walked with a cane (male; 5, female; 13, age; 80.9 ± 7.7 yrs, height; 148.1 ± 7.7 cm, weight; 51.8 ± 8.8 kg [mean±SD], 9 had an impaired gait), and 31 subjects walked without a cane (male; 7, female; 24, age; 80.9 ± 7.7 yrs, height; 148.1 ± 7.7 cm, weight; 51.8 ± 8.8 kg, 15 had an impaired gait). Subjects walked about 20 m there and back at their own speed. We estimated the number of steps based on the cadence obtained from the composite power spectrums of triaxial acceleration signals using FFT algorithm (FM). FM was compared with the number of steps visually counted by a physical therapist (RM) and by pedometer (PM). As results, PM measured by the pedometer was inaccurate. But this FFT method was reasonably accurate when estimating the number of steps. PM was significantly less than the RM (p < 0.05), and the error of PM was 53.2 ± 34.1% of RM. In contrast, FM did not differ from the RM, and the average error of FM was -0.7 ± 7.9% of RM (absolute value; 5.8 ± 5.3%). We suggest that our method is adequate and suitable for estimating the number of steps in elderly people during walking not only with a cane but also with slow walking speeds or gait disorders.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.28/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE