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AGREEMENT OF STEP-BASED METRICS FROM ACTIGRAPH AND ACTIVPAL ACCELEROMETERS WORN CONCURRENTLY AMONG ADULTS 18-65

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Counting steps is a simple way to assess physical activity (PA) that is easily understood by the public at large. Current technology allows steps to be assessed via smartphones, various fitness trackers and wearables. The previous Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Council recommended a move towards a steps-based PA recommendation. An improved understanding of the agreement for steps-based metrics across multiple devices is an important step towards facilitating such a recommendation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the steps measured from two research-grade accelerometers: The Actigraph (AG) and Activpal (AP), in a sample of adults. METHODS: Thirteen men (n = 4) and women (n = 9) aged 18 - 65 years (30 ± 15.7 years; BMI = 23.4 ± 5.1) underwent 7 days of PA assessment while wearing an AG and AP. The AG was worn on the right hip and the AP was worn on the right thigh. Paired sample t-tests were conducted to evaluate mean differences in steps per day, sedentary time, as well as peak 1-minute and 30-minute cadence. RESULTS: Mean moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA minutes per day achieved in all subjects measured via AG subjects was 53.0 ± 24.9. Sedentary minutes per day was greater with the AG (923.7 ± 121.8) compared to the AP (499.0 ± 106.4; P <0.001). Total steps per day were less with the AG (9077.0 ± 3171.3) than the AP (10139.2 ± 3068.0, P = 0.007). Peak 1-minute cadence was greater in the AG vs the AP (143.6 ± 23.0 and 136.0 ± 18.0, P = 0.036). Peak 30-minute cadence did not differ between devices (131.2 ± 22.4 and 127.0 ± 15.0 for AG and AP, respectively; P = 0.25). CONCLUSION: Compared to the AG, the AP underestimated sedentary time and overestimated steps per day, suggesting poor agreement between two research-validated devices. More research is needed across a wide range of populations to further improve the understanding of the agreement between PA assessment devices.

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