A telepedometer for the remote measurement of human locomotor activity.

A short-range, inexpensive, transmitter-transducer has been designed for installation inside the heel of a shoe. It provides a means of monitoring foot contact with the ground and can be used to obtain information about “natural” patterns of daily physical activity. Its unobtrusiveness serves to reduce or, as in studies of children, to eliminate artifacts due to the subject's awareness that he is under study. Tests indicate that the device is quite durable, stable and reliable. It may be installed and remain in the heel of a shoe, unknown to the wearer, for a matter of days.