Concurrent validation of the Actigraph gt3x+, Polar Active accelerometer, Omron HJ-720 and Yamax Digiwalker SW-701 pedometer step counts in lab-based and free-living settings

Abstract

Activity monitors are frequently used to assess activity in many settings. But as technology advances, so do the mechanisms used to estimate activity causing a continuous need to validate newly developed monitors. The purpose of this study was to examine the step count validity of the Yamax Digiwalker SW-701 pedometer (YX), Omron HJ-720 T pedometer (OP), Polar Active accelerometer (PAC) and Actigraph gt3x+ accelerometer (AG) under controlled and free-living conditions. Participants completed five stages of treadmill walking (n = 43) and a subset of these completed a 3-day free-living wear period (n = 37). Manually counted (MC) steps provided a criterion measure for treadmill walking, whereas the comparative measure during free-living was the YX. During treadmill walking, the OP was the most accurate monitor across all speeds (±1.1% of MC steps), while the PAC underestimated steps by 6.7-16.0% per stage. During free-living, the OP and AG counted 97.5% and 98.5% of YX steps, respectively. The PAC overestimated steps by 44.0%, or 5,265 steps per day. The Omron pedometer seems to provide the most reliable and valid estimate of steps taken, as it was the best performer under lab-based conditions and provided comparable results to the YX in free-living. Future studies should consider these monitors in additional populations and settings.

Accelerometer data treatment for adolescents: Fitting a piece of the puzzle

“…Accelerometry Activity was assessed using ActiGraph wGT3X+ activity monitors (ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL). These small (4.6 cm × 3.3 cm × 1.5 cm) lightweight (19 g) units reliably measure motion across three axes using an electromechanical accelerometer (Lee et al, 2015). Units were initialised using a sampling frequency of 30 Hz.…”

Validity of Garmin Vívofit and Polar Loop for measuring daily step counts in free-living conditions in adults

“…A. Lee et al (2015), where Polar Active Accelerometer overestimated steps each day by 40.8% to 50.0%. In a study by Kooiman et al (2015), WATs Misfit Shine, Jawbone UP and Fitbit Flex demonstrated smaller MAPEs (from 1.1 to 7.9) compared with the present study.…”

“…A. Lee et al, 2015). Secondly, we used a small sample, which can limit the generalizability of the results.…”

“…For providing complete characteristics of the devices, it is necessary to validate these variables in future studies. The fourth limitation is that the validity of activity trackers can be affected by various positions of the devices on the body, especially in free-living conditions (Atallah, Lo, King, & Yang, 2011;Kooiman et al, 2015;J. A. Lee et al, 2015).…”

Gopher FITStep Pro accuracy when measuring steps and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity

“…For example, commercially available, wearable, objective physical activity monitors are widely used as personal devices, as well as for school-based physical education programming. Two physical activity monitors that are widely used for individuals of all ages are pedometers and accelerometers (Lee, Williams, Brown, & Laurson, 2015). Contemporary pedometers are small devices that are usually worn on the hip (Lee et al, 2015) and are relatively low in cost (Clemes & Biddle, 2013).…”