Step counting and energy expenditure estimation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and healthy elderly: accuracy of 2 motion sensors.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the accuracy of 2 motion sensors (a pedometer and a multisensor) in terms of step counting and estimation of energy expenditure (EE) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in healthy elderly.


METHODS
In this descriptive study, all participants wore both motion sensors while performing a treadmill walking protocol at 3 different speeds corresponding to 30%, 60%, and 100% of the average speed achieved during a six-minute walk test. As criterion methods, EE was estimated by indirect calorimetry, and steps were registered by videotape.


METHODS
Research laboratory at a university hospital.


METHODS
Patients with COPD (n=30; 17 men; mean age +/- SD, 67+/-8 y; mean forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV(1)] predicted +/- SD, 46%+/-17%; mean body mass index [BMI] +/- SD, 24+/-4 kg.m(2)) and matched healthy elderly (n=30; 15 men; mean age +/- SD, 68+/-7 y; mean FEV(1) predicted +/- SD, 104%+/-21%; mean BMI +/- SD, 25+/-3 kg.m(2)).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Step counting and EE estimation during a treadmill walking protocol.


RESULTS
The pedometer was accurate for step counting and EE estimation in both patients with COPD and healthy elderly at the higher speed. However, it showed significant underestimation at the 2 slower speeds in both groups. The multisensor did not detect steps accurately at any speed, although it accurately estimated EE at all speeds in healthy elderly and at the intermediate and higher speeds in patients with COPD.


CONCLUSIONS
In both patients with COPD and healthy elderly, the multisensor showed better EE estimates during most walking speeds than the pedometer. Conversely, for step counting, accuracy is observed only with the pedometer during the higher walking speed in both groups.
Laboratory of Research in Respiratory Physiotherapy, Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
Karina C
KC
Furlanetto
Gianna W
GW
Bisca
Nicoli
N
Oldemberg
Thaís J
TJ
Sant'anna
Fernanda K
FK
Morakami
Carlos A
CA
Camillo
Vinicius
V
Cavalheri
Nidia A
NA
Hernandes
Vanessa S
VS
Probst
Ercy M
EM
Ramos
Antonio F
AF
Brunetto
Fábio
F
Pitta
D000054:Acceleration; D000368:Aged; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014159:Transducers; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*