Accuracy of Accelerometers for Measuring Physical Activity and Levels of Sedentary Behavior in Children: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objectives: This systematic review evaluated the accuracy of triaxial and omnidirectional accelerometers for measuring physical activity and sedentary behavior in children. Design: Systematic review of the literature. Methods: We comprehensively searched several databases for studies published from January 1996 through June 2018 that reported diagnostic accuracy measures in children and adolescents (age 3-18 years) and compared accelerometers with energy expenditure using indirect calorimetry. Results: We included 11 studies that enrolled 570 participants. All studies used indirect calorimetry as the reference standard. Across the studies, median sensitivity ranged from 46% to 96% and median specificity ranged from 71% to 96%. Median area under the curve ranged from 69% to 98%. Conclusions: Accuracy measures were greatest when detecting sedentary behavior and lowest when detecting light physical activity. Accuracy was higher when the accelerometer was placed on the hip compared with the wrist. The current evidence suggests that triaxial and omnidirectional accelerometers are accurate in measuring sedentary behavior and physical activity levels in children.

Calorimetry of students’ heart rate during exercises of various intensity

“…However, experimental researches show that even the more advanced technology of the IDEA underestimated the burning of calories when walking slowly, but overestimated the speed of walking [20]. Despite the research data, many mobile algorithms have not been confirmed by experimental researches [1,15]. An overabundance of proposed mobile applications and guidelines saturates the fitness market with lowquality information and algorithms [21].…”

“…It is the systematic, stable, and uniform performance of the aerobic motor activity in training sessions and in General in daily and weekly modes that ensures the transition of the body urgent adaptive responses to loads long-term adaptation [12][13][14]. Violation of the regularity principle and uniformity in the course of training may not only give the desired health-improving effect, but also leads to serious health disorders [15,16]. Only a strictly individual-differentiated approach to the implementation of aerobic physical activity on the basis of systematic self-analysis of energy exchange through the account of consumed and allocated body calories will ensure physical and health success [17].…”

Effects of Physically Active Lessons on Movement Behaviors, Cognitive, and Academic Performance in Elementary Schoolchildren: ERGUER/Aracaju Project

“…However, most studies use only the accelerometer as a device for assessing sedentary behavior, 14,16 and there are some limitations in the interpretation of these data. Despite presenting acceptable reliability and validity for physical activity in pediatric populations, 40,41 accelerometers overestimate sedentary behavior among school time and longitudinal data when compared to inclinometers because of the limitation of detecting postures. 42 On the other hand, inclinometers enabled more accurate identification of total sitting time in the school context, 19 but they have not been well validated for assessment of various intensities of physical activity in children.…”

Health‐Related Physical Fitness and Activity in Homeschool: A Systematic Review With Implications for Return to Public School

“…38 Activity monitors and accelerometry also have limited accuracy that changes based upon several factors including the device itself and where it is worn. 39 Further research is needed to both quantify and qualify the amount and type of physical activity among American children schooled at home.…”