Lab Exercise No. 1
Lab Exercise No. 1
Problem: PACING
A. Instruments & Accessories: Range Poles, Steel Tape, Markers (hubs, paint, chalk, or crayons)
B. Procedures:
1. Determining Pace Factor
a) Select a straight and level course and on both ends establish markers at least 90 meters
apart. Designate these end points as A and B.
b) Walk over the course at a natural pace or gait starting with either heel or toe over point
A and count the number of paces to reach point B.
c) For succeeding trials, walk from B to A, then A to B, until 8 trials are completed, and the
number of paces recorded accordingly.
d) Refer to the accompanying sample format for the recording of observed field data.
C. Computations:
1. Computing Pace Factor (PF).
a.) Get the sum of the number of paces for the five trials performed on course AB then
compute the mean number of paces.
b.) Divide the known or taped length of course AB by the mean number of paces for AB to
determine the pace factor.
2. Computing Paced Distance (PD).
a.) Get the sum of the number of paces for the eight trials performed on course CD and
compute the mean number of paces.
b.) Multiply the mean number of paces for CD by the pace factor to obtain the paced
distance.
3. Computing Relative Precision (RP).
a.) Determine the difference between the taped distance of CD and the paced distance of
CD.
b.) Divide the difference by the taped distance of CD and reduce the numerator to unity to
determine the relative precision.
D. Remarks, Hints & Precautions:
1. The ends of assigned courses should be marked with either hubs, marking pins, or by chalk
marks if on pavement.
2. Range Poles are set or held behind the end points to serve as guides or markers during
actual pacing.
3. A steel taped should be used in laying out or in measuring the actual lengths of courses
assigned for pacing.
4. When taping, two measurement s should be made for any line and the mean recorded as
its actual length.
5. The length of a single step is termed a pace. It may be measured from heel to heel or from
toe to toe. Also, each two paces or a double step is called a stride.