Reliability and validity of a new accelerometer-based device for detecting physical activities and energy expenditure

Background Objective assessments of sedentary behavior and physical activity (PA) by using accelerometer-based wearable devices are ever expanding, given their importance in the global context of health maintenance. This study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of a new accelerometer-ba...

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Main Authors: Yanxiang Yang, Moritz Schumann, Shenglong Le, Shulin Cheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PeerJ Inc. 2018-10-01
Series:PeerJ
Subjects:
Online Access:https://peerj.com/articles/5775.pdf
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author Yanxiang Yang
Moritz Schumann
Shenglong Le
Shulin Cheng
author_facet Yanxiang Yang
Moritz Schumann
Shenglong Le
Shulin Cheng
author_sort Yanxiang Yang
collection DOAJ
description Background Objective assessments of sedentary behavior and physical activity (PA) by using accelerometer-based wearable devices are ever expanding, given their importance in the global context of health maintenance. This study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of a new accelerometer-based analyzer (Fibion) for detecting different PAs and estimating energy expenditure (EE) during a simulated free-living day. Methods The study consisted of two parts: a reliability (n = 18) and a validity (n = 19) test. Reliability was assessed by a 45 min protocol of repeated sitting, standing, and walking (i.e., 3 × 15 min, repeated twice), using both Fibion and ActiGraph. Validity was assessed by a 12 h continuous sequence tasks of different types (sitting, standing, walking, and cycling) and intensities (light [LPA], moderate [MPA], and vigorous [VPA]) of PA. Two Fibion devices were worn on the thigh (FT) and in the pocket (FP), respectively and were compared with criteria measures, such as direct observation (criterion 1) and oxygen consumption by a portable gas analyzer, K4b2 (criterion 2). Results FT (intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs): 0.687–0.806) provided similar reliability as the Actigraph (ICCs: 0.661–0.806) for EE estimation. However, the measurement error (ME) of FT compared to the actual time records indicated an underestimation of duration by 5.1 ± 1.2%, 3.8 ± 0.3% and 14.9 ± 2.6% during sitting, walking, and standing, respectively. During the validity test, FT but not FP showed a moderate agreement but lager variance with the criteria (1 and 2) in assessing duration of sitting, long sitting, LPA, MPA, and VPA (p > 0.05, ICCs: 0.071–0.537), as well as for EE estimation of standing, LPA, MPA, and VPA (p > 0.05, ICCs: 0.673–0.894). Conclusions FT provided similar reliability to that of the Actigraph. However, low correlations between subsequent measurements of both devices indicated large random MEs, which were somewhat diminished during the simulated 12 h real-life test. Furthermore, FT may accurately determine the types, intensities of PA and EE during prolonged periods with substantial changes in postures, indicating that the location of the accelerometer is essential. Further study with a large cohort is needed to confirm the usability of Fibion, especially for detecting the low-intensity PAs.
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spelling doaj.art-b30217c5bbbc45f79bdc1f8e146b881b2023-12-03T10:28:08ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592018-10-016e577510.7717/peerj.5775Reliability and validity of a new accelerometer-based device for detecting physical activities and energy expenditureYanxiang Yang0Moritz Schumann1Shenglong Le2Shulin Cheng3Department of Physical Education, Exercise, Health and Technology Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaInstitute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, German Sport University, Cologne, GermanyDepartment of Physical Education, Exercise, Health and Technology Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Physical Education, Exercise, Health and Technology Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaBackground Objective assessments of sedentary behavior and physical activity (PA) by using accelerometer-based wearable devices are ever expanding, given their importance in the global context of health maintenance. This study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of a new accelerometer-based analyzer (Fibion) for detecting different PAs and estimating energy expenditure (EE) during a simulated free-living day. Methods The study consisted of two parts: a reliability (n = 18) and a validity (n = 19) test. Reliability was assessed by a 45 min protocol of repeated sitting, standing, and walking (i.e., 3 × 15 min, repeated twice), using both Fibion and ActiGraph. Validity was assessed by a 12 h continuous sequence tasks of different types (sitting, standing, walking, and cycling) and intensities (light [LPA], moderate [MPA], and vigorous [VPA]) of PA. Two Fibion devices were worn on the thigh (FT) and in the pocket (FP), respectively and were compared with criteria measures, such as direct observation (criterion 1) and oxygen consumption by a portable gas analyzer, K4b2 (criterion 2). Results FT (intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs): 0.687–0.806) provided similar reliability as the Actigraph (ICCs: 0.661–0.806) for EE estimation. However, the measurement error (ME) of FT compared to the actual time records indicated an underestimation of duration by 5.1 ± 1.2%, 3.8 ± 0.3% and 14.9 ± 2.6% during sitting, walking, and standing, respectively. During the validity test, FT but not FP showed a moderate agreement but lager variance with the criteria (1 and 2) in assessing duration of sitting, long sitting, LPA, MPA, and VPA (p > 0.05, ICCs: 0.071–0.537), as well as for EE estimation of standing, LPA, MPA, and VPA (p > 0.05, ICCs: 0.673–0.894). Conclusions FT provided similar reliability to that of the Actigraph. However, low correlations between subsequent measurements of both devices indicated large random MEs, which were somewhat diminished during the simulated 12 h real-life test. Furthermore, FT may accurately determine the types, intensities of PA and EE during prolonged periods with substantial changes in postures, indicating that the location of the accelerometer is essential. Further study with a large cohort is needed to confirm the usability of Fibion, especially for detecting the low-intensity PAs.https://peerj.com/articles/5775.pdfSedentary behaviorMotionPosture allocationActivity tracker
spellingShingle Yanxiang Yang
Moritz Schumann
Shenglong Le
Shulin Cheng
Reliability and validity of a new accelerometer-based device for detecting physical activities and energy expenditure
PeerJ
Sedentary behavior
Motion
Posture allocation
Activity tracker
title Reliability and validity of a new accelerometer-based device for detecting physical activities and energy expenditure
title_full Reliability and validity of a new accelerometer-based device for detecting physical activities and energy expenditure
title_fullStr Reliability and validity of a new accelerometer-based device for detecting physical activities and energy expenditure
title_full_unstemmed Reliability and validity of a new accelerometer-based device for detecting physical activities and energy expenditure
title_short Reliability and validity of a new accelerometer-based device for detecting physical activities and energy expenditure
title_sort reliability and validity of a new accelerometer based device for detecting physical activities and energy expenditure
topic Sedentary behavior
Motion
Posture allocation
Activity tracker
url https://peerj.com/articles/5775.pdf
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AT shenglongle reliabilityandvalidityofanewaccelerometerbaseddevicefordetectingphysicalactivitiesandenergyexpenditure
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