Interunit and intraunit reliability of the RT3 triaxial accelerometer.
BACKGROUND
Interest in the quantification of physical activity is on the rise. Triaxial accelerometry has frequently been used; however, research on the reliability of these devices is limited. We examine the interunit and intraunit reliability of 22 RT3 triaxial accelerometers using a performance-documented laboratory agitator.


METHODS
The RT3 units were tested while moving in 2 directions (antero-posterior, medio-lateral) and speeds (150 and 275 RPM) on a shaker with simultaneous documented performance output for three 24-hour periods.


RESULTS
Minimal shaker variance was recorded for all trials (coefficients of variation [CVs] < 0.52%). Our data demonstrate good reliability within RT3s (CVs < 1.81%) but poor reliability among the 22 units (CVs range = 9.5% to 34.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
In longitudinal studies, each subject should use the same RT3 unit at each assessment. The use of multiple RT3 units in cross-sectional studies is not recommended because data interpretation would be compromised by the high between-unit variability.
Krasnoff
Joanne B
JB
Exercise Physiology and Body Composition Laboratory, Dept of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
Kohn
Michael A
MA
Choy
Frankie K K
FK
Doyle
Julie
J
Johansen
Kirsten
K
Painter
Patricia L
PL
D000054:Acceleration; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016552:Ergometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009043:Motor Activity; D015203:Reproducibility of Results