title: Accuracy of Consumer Monitors for Estimating Energy Expenditure and Activity Type.
abstract: Increasing use of consumer-based physical activity (PA) monitors necessitates that they are validated against criterion measures. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of three consumer-based PA monitors for estimating energy expenditure (EE) and PA type during simulated free-living activities.
  
  
  
  Twenty-eight participants (mean ± SD: age, 25.5 ± 3.7 yr; body mass index, 24.9 ± 2.6 kg·m) completed 11 activities ranging from sedentary behaviors to vigorous intensities. Simultaneous measurements were made with an Oxycon portable calorimeter (criterion), a Basis Peak and Garmin Vivofit on the nondominant wrist, and three Withings Pulse devices (right hip, shirt collar, dominant wrist). Repeated-measures ANOVA were used to examine differences between measured and predicted EE. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to determine reliability of EE predictions between Withings placements. Paired samples t tests were used to determine mean differences between observed minutes and Basis Peak predictions during walking, running, and cycling.
  
  
  
  On average, the Basis Peak was within 8% of measured EE for the entire PA routine (P > 0.05); however, there were large individual errors (95% prediction interval, -290.4 to +233.1 kcal). All other devices were significantly different from measured EE for the entire PA routine (P < 0.05). For activity types, Basis Peak correctly identified ≥92% of actual minutes spent walking and running (P > 0.05), and 40.4% and 0% of overground and stationary cycling minutes, respectively (P < 0.001).
  
  
  
  The Basis Peak was the only device that did not significantly differ from measured EE; however, it also had the largest individual errors. Additionally, the Basis Peak accurately predicted minutes spent walking and running, but not cycling.
authors: 1Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies, The University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, TN; and 2Department of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.
authors: James A
authors: JA
authors: Woodman
authors: Scott E
authors: SE
authors: Crouter
authors: David R
authors: DR
authors: Bassett
authors: Eugene C
authors: EC
authors: Fitzhugh
authors: William R
authors: WR
authors: Boyer
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D055815:Young Adult