Methodology This quasi-experimental study examined if the use of pedometers can increase student motivation for physical activity amongst fourth grade students. The study included two intact fourth grade classes; each class participated in the physical education class twice a week for a duration of six-weeks. The researcher assigned each class to an experimental group and a control group. Participants in the experimental group received an unsealed pedometer and pedometer step-count goals. Participants in the control group received a sealed pedometer and did not receive pedometer step-count goals. Each group received a pre-test …show more content…
A convenience sample of 64 students (35 males and 29 females) in the fourth grade participated in the study. The ages ranged from 9 to 11 years old. Two fourth grade classes remained intact and consisted of approximately 32 students. Majority of the participants came from families of low to middle socioeconomic status. It was determined that 88% of the participants qualified for free or reduced lunch. Of the participants, 70% were African American, 25% Caucasian, 3% Hispanic American, and 2% Asian American. The researcher distributed recruitment letters and consent forms to parents and guardians for each child enrolled in the fourth grade. The researcher obtained approval from the university institutional review board (IRB) prior to the start of the study. The inclusion criteria for the study included fourth grade students that were currently enrolled in the physical education program at the researcher’s