A handicap point system for pedometer challenges: A strategy using daily step averages and handicaps

This paper presents the theoretical aspects behind a handicap point system for pedometer challenges. The system attempts to address the problem of current approaches that report only the participants with the most steps in competitions. By introducing a handicap based calculation, the idea is to motivate all participants to exceed their average daily step count. It is proposed to add a participant´s daily steps and their handicap in an attempt to level the playing field for beginning and advanced participants. The algorithm proposed has parameters to calibrate handicap points to favor lower or higher average participants. The approach could be included in applications such as leaderboards, step based games, and team challenges.