Research article
Validation of the Vivago Wrist-Worn accelerometer in the assessment of physical activity
1 Centre d’Investigation Clinique, CIC-PT-9301-Inserm-CH&U, 59037, Lille, France
2 Unité Inserm U995, Université Lille Nord de France, Lille, France
3 ER3S, EA4110, Université Lille Nord de France, Dunkerque, France
4 ER3S, Université d'Artois, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
5 Department of Family, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences (FNES) Queens College, Flushing, New York, USA
BMC Public Health 2012, 12:690 doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-690
Published: 22 August 2012Abstract
Background
Most accelerometers are worn around the waist (hip or lower back) to assess habitual physical activity. Wrist-worn accelerometers may be an alternative to the waist-worn monitors and may improve compliance in studies with prolonged wear. The aim of this study was to validate the Vivago® Wrist-Worn Accelerometer at various intensities of physical activity (PA) in adults.
Methods
Twenty-one healthy adults aged 20–34 years were recruited for the study. Accelerometer data and oxygen uptake (VO2) were measured at sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous levels of PA.
Results
Activity categories and accelerometer counts were: sedentary, 0–15 counts·min−1; light, 16–40 counts·min−1; moderate, 41–85 counts·min−1; and vigorous activity, >; 85 counts·min−1. ANOVA repeated measures was used to determine the relationship between accelerometry data output and oxygen consumption (r = .89; p <; .001). The Bland and Altman method showed good agreement in the assessment of energy expenditure between the indirect calorimetry and the data obtained by the accelerometer.
Conclusions
Results of the study suggest that the Vivago® wrist-worn accelerometer is a valid measure of PA at varying levels of intensity. The study has also defined threshold values at 4 intensities and hence te Vivago® accelerometer may be used to quantify PA in free living conditions among adults. This device has possible application in treating a variety of important health concerns.
