This is an article about a useful instrument which, though had its origin in the past, and also, re-invented in 1965 as a new form, has been gaining popularity in the recent times only.
This article is about an instrument called PEDOMETER.
WHAT IS IT?
Every step you take, every move you make, it's counting. A pedometer is an electronic gadget that counts each step a person takes by monitoring hip movements.
A pedometer, otherwise called as a step-counter, is an electronic or electromechanical device. Since the distance of each person's step varies, an informal calibration performed by the user is required if a standardized distance (such as in kilometres or miles) is desired.
ORIGIN:
The origin of the Pedometer was as early as the Roman perion as the Romans designed an instrument called ODOMETER. Though technically it was not a step counter, it was used by them to measure distances for military and civil purposes. Leonardo da vinci envisioned a mechanical pedometer as a device with military applications.
But a first step towards developing this instrument was being made by the former US President Thomas Jefferson, and again, for military use only.He got the base unit from France. Though the development has been largely attributed to Jefferson by the Americans, proof is difficult to obtain as he never applied for any patents on any of his inventions.
So, the first officially made and marketed Pedometer was in 1965 in Japan. An instrumnt called manpo-kei (meaning "10,000 steps meter" was introduced by Y. Hatano. Since then, developments have been made and are going on in process.
The first phase of development went on till 1985, after which, researches accepted, as proving that 10,000 Steps A Day was the proper balance of caloric intake and activity-based caloric expenditure to maintain a healthy body.
Pedometer Tracking Maps-These motivate the users to go 10,000 steps a day.
WORKING:
The device uses a combo of micro electromechanical sensors and software to detect any movement a person makes. Originally, these devices were attached to belts, or kept in trouser pockets to record hip movement.
Early forms of Pedometer used a mechanical switch to detect steps together with a simple counter. If one shakes these devices, one hears a lead ball sliding back and forth, or a pendulum striking stops as it swings. Today advanced technologies are being used and MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) have been used.One of the other advanced technique is the method of piezo- electric acclerometers, which uses coiled spring mchanism or a hair spring mechanism. Besides showing the step total and/or calculating the distance, features abound. The top features are: Calorie estimates, clocks, timers, stopwatches and speed estimators, 7-day memory, pulse rate readers etc.
A GOOD USE:
A good use of a pedometer is the usage of the instrument for the prescribed period (10,000 steps) every day. Pedometers serve as a motivational tool for physical activity(People always do a good work when they see someone is monitoring them!!!). Atleast 6000 steps a day is required for maintaining a good health. But a regular 10,000 steps a day procedure is required for those who want to shed their weight.
HOW TO WEAR IT?
It can be worn in the hip region and be held securely by a clip, but care should be taken that the person should not touch the reset button (as it would increase his work! Again do 10,000 steps… But what if he is a cardiac patient?).
NEWER TECHNOLOGIES:
Technology has improved to an extent that these Pedometers have been installed in many upcoming gadgets.
Pedometers need not be another gadget that the person carries to office. The fifth-generation iPod Nano comes with a pedo. The Nokia + Apple Sports kit beams workout data (including steps taken, calories burnt) from the shoe to an iPod. Nokia has a free downloadable application, Step Counter, which does the same and works on its N-series phones.
Well, Doctors say, walking is a good exercise. Pedometer is a very good option to carry it out!!!
This article is about an instrument called PEDOMETER.
WHAT IS IT?
Every step you take, every move you make, it's counting. A pedometer is an electronic gadget that counts each step a person takes by monitoring hip movements.
A pedometer, otherwise called as a step-counter, is an electronic or electromechanical device. Since the distance of each person's step varies, an informal calibration performed by the user is required if a standardized distance (such as in kilometres or miles) is desired.
ORIGIN:
The origin of the Pedometer was as early as the Roman perion as the Romans designed an instrument called ODOMETER. Though technically it was not a step counter, it was used by them to measure distances for military and civil purposes. Leonardo da vinci envisioned a mechanical pedometer as a device with military applications.
But a first step towards developing this instrument was being made by the former US President Thomas Jefferson, and again, for military use only.He got the base unit from France. Though the development has been largely attributed to Jefferson by the Americans, proof is difficult to obtain as he never applied for any patents on any of his inventions.
So, the first officially made and marketed Pedometer was in 1965 in Japan. An instrumnt called manpo-kei (meaning "10,000 steps meter" was introduced by Y. Hatano. Since then, developments have been made and are going on in process.
The first phase of development went on till 1985, after which, researches accepted, as proving that 10,000 Steps A Day was the proper balance of caloric intake and activity-based caloric expenditure to maintain a healthy body.
Pedometer Tracking Maps-These motivate the users to go 10,000 steps a day.
WORKING:
The device uses a combo of micro electromechanical sensors and software to detect any movement a person makes. Originally, these devices were attached to belts, or kept in trouser pockets to record hip movement.
Early forms of Pedometer used a mechanical switch to detect steps together with a simple counter. If one shakes these devices, one hears a lead ball sliding back and forth, or a pendulum striking stops as it swings. Today advanced technologies are being used and MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) have been used.One of the other advanced technique is the method of piezo- electric acclerometers, which uses coiled spring mchanism or a hair spring mechanism. Besides showing the step total and/or calculating the distance, features abound. The top features are: Calorie estimates, clocks, timers, stopwatches and speed estimators, 7-day memory, pulse rate readers etc.
A GOOD USE:
A good use of a pedometer is the usage of the instrument for the prescribed period (10,000 steps) every day. Pedometers serve as a motivational tool for physical activity(People always do a good work when they see someone is monitoring them!!!). Atleast 6000 steps a day is required for maintaining a good health. But a regular 10,000 steps a day procedure is required for those who want to shed their weight.
HOW TO WEAR IT?
It can be worn in the hip region and be held securely by a clip, but care should be taken that the person should not touch the reset button (as it would increase his work! Again do 10,000 steps… But what if he is a cardiac patient?).
NEWER TECHNOLOGIES:
Technology has improved to an extent that these Pedometers have been installed in many upcoming gadgets.
Pedometers need not be another gadget that the person carries to office. The fifth-generation iPod Nano comes with a pedo. The Nokia + Apple Sports kit beams workout data (including steps taken, calories burnt) from the shoe to an iPod. Nokia has a free downloadable application, Step Counter, which does the same and works on its N-series phones.
Well, Doctors say, walking is a good exercise. Pedometer is a very good option to carry it out!!!