GT3X+ accelerometer placement affects the reliability of step-counts measured during running and pedal-revolution counts measured during bicycling.
Accelerometers provide a measure of step-count. Reliability and validity of step-count and pedal-revolution count measurements by the GT3X+ accelerometer, placed at different anatomical locations, is absent in the literature. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of step and pedal-revolution counts produced by the GT3X+ placed at different anatomical locations during running and bicycling. Twenty-two healthy adults (14 men and 8 women) completed running and bicycling activity bouts (5 minutes each) while wearing 6 accelerometers: 2 each at the waist, thigh and shank. Accelerometer and video data were collected during activity. Excellent reliability and validity were found for measurements taken from accelerometers mounted at the waist and shank during running (Reliability: intraclass correlation (ICC) ≥ 0.99; standard error of measurement (SEM) ≤1.0 steps;


RESULTS
Pearson ≥ 0.99) and at the thigh and shank during bicycling (Reliability: ICC ≥ 0.99; SEM ≤1.0 revolutions;


RESULTS
Pearson ≥ 0.99). Excellent reliability was found between measurements taken at the waist and shank during running (ICC ≥ 0.98; SEM ≤1.6 steps) and between measurements taken at the thigh and shank during bicycling (ICC ≥ 0.99; SEM ≤1.0 revolutions). These data suggest that the GT3X+ can be used for measuring step-count during running and pedal-revolution count during bicycling. Only shank placement is recommended for both activities.
a School of Rehabilitation Science , McMaster University , Hamilton , Canada.
Anthony A
AA
Gatti
a School of Rehabilitation Science , McMaster University , Hamilton , Canada.
Paul W
PW
Stratford
a School of Rehabilitation Science , McMaster University , Hamilton , Canada.
Elora C
EC
Brenneman
a School of Rehabilitation Science , McMaster University , Hamilton , Canada.
Monica R
MR
Maly
D061725:Accelerometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D000072936:Fitness Trackers; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012420:Running; D013848:Thigh; D055815:Young Adult
Reproducibility of results; physical activity; physical fitness; reliability; validity