Comparison of accuracy of various non-calorimetric methods measuring energy expenditure at different intensities

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of three non-calorimetric methods' measurements of energy expenditure (EE) in laboratory conditions and to compare the results obtained by each method in free-living condition in a group of adult subjects. Methods. Measurement was performed on 20 individuals aged 19-39 years. An assessment of EE at different intensities of physical activity was conducted by: monitoring heart rate with a S-610 Polar Sport Tester (HrM), measuring body movement by an ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer (AM), and recording METs (Mr) by a physical activity questionnaire, for different activities (leisure and exercise) at various intensities in laboratory and free-living conditions. Indirect calorimetry (Cosmed K4b2 respirometer) was used as a reference standard. Results. The most reliable tool for EE assessment was HrM (100% accurate). AM overestimated EE (about 60%) for activity at moderate-intensity and underestimated EE (about 40%) at vigorous-intensity. Mr overestimated the results, with measurement errors increasing with an increase in physical activity intensity (about 40-120%). Conclusions. Although AM and Mr provided less accurate results than HrM in laboratory conditions, there were no significant differences between the three methods (HrM, AM and Mr) when total daily energy expenditure was calculated for the participants in free-living condition.

Assessment of Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status in CrossFit-Trained Individuals: A Descriptive Study

“…Assessment of total daily energy expenditure (EE) was conducted according to a previously validated method [ 19 ], in which heart rate (HR) monitoring data (Polar RS-400, Vantaa, Finland) were used. Each participant’s HR was recorded minute-by-minute for five consecutive days, including weekends.…”

“…On a separate visit, the thresholds HR (HR FLEX ) for activity categories (sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous) were estimated individually for each participant. Energy expenditure (EE) was calculated for each category according to recommendations and recorded five-day HR data were categorized to the intensity levels and used to estimate total daily energy expenditure [ 19 , 20 ].…”

Effects of Low Versus Moderate Glycemic Index Diets on Aerobic Capacity in Endurance Runners: Three-Week Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

“…Collected intake data were analyzed and used to determine general eating habits and assess each individual’s diet compatibility with the study diets. During this period, total daily energy expenditure was estimated using a wrist-worn heart rate monitor (Polar RS-400, Polar, Vantaa, Finland) worn for four consecutive days, as described previously [ 20 ]. After the run-in phase and the first laboratory study visit followed by an endurance test on the next day, participants started dietary intervention.…”

“…Total daily energy expenditure was assessed using heart rate (HR) monitoring data (Polar RS-400, Vantaa, Finland), based on a previously validated method [ 20 ]. Each participant’s HR was recorded minute-by-minute for four consecutive days.…”

“…On a separate visit, the thresholds HR (HR FLEX ) for activity categories (sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous) were estimated individually for each participant. Energy expenditure (EE) for each category was calculated as recommended, and recorded four-day HR data were categorized to the intensity levels and used to estimate total daily energy expenditure [ 20 , 28 ].…”