Validation of the Fitbit One, Garmin Vivofit and Jawbone UP activity tracker in estimation of energy expenditure during treadmill walking and running

Journal article


Price, Kym, Bird, Stephen R., Lythgo, Noel, Raj, Isaac S., Wong, Jason Y. L. and Lynch, Chris. (2017). Validation of the Fitbit One, Garmin Vivofit and Jawbone UP activity tracker in estimation of energy expenditure during treadmill walking and running. Journal of Medical Engineering and Technology. 41(3), pp. 208-215. https://doi.org/10.1080/03091902.2016.1253795
AuthorsPrice, Kym, Bird, Stephen R., Lythgo, Noel, Raj, Isaac S., Wong, Jason Y. L. and Lynch, Chris
Abstract

Objectives: To determine the validity of energy expenditure estimation made by the Fitbit One, Garmin Vivofit and Jawbone UP activity trackers during treadmill walking and running. Determining validity of such trackers will inform the interpretation of the data they generate.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Method: Fourteen adults walked at 0.70, 1.25, 1.80 ms−1 and ran at 2.22, 2.78, 3.33 ms−1 on a treadmill wearing a Fitbit One, Garmin Vivofit and Jawbone UP. Estimation of energy expenditure from each tracker was compared to measurement from indirect calorimetry (criterion). Paired t-tests, correlation coefficients and Bland–Altman plots assessed agreement and proportional bias. Mean percentage difference assessed magnitude of difference between estimated and criterion energy expenditure for each speed.

Results: Energy expenditure estimates from the Fitbit One and Garmin Vivofit correlated significantly (p< 0.01; r= 0.702; 0.854) with criterion across all gait speeds (0.70–3.33 ms−1). Fitbit One, Garmin Vivofit and Jawbone UP correlated significantly (p < 0.05; r = 0.729; 0.711; 0.591) with criterion across all walking speeds (0.70–1.80 ms−1). However, only the Garmin Vivofit correlated significantly (p< 0.05; r = 0.346) with energy expenditure estimations from criterion across running speeds (2.22–3.33 ms−1). Bland–Altman plots showed proportional bias for the Fitbit One and Garmin Vivofit. Energy expenditure estimations of single speeds were overestimated by the Fitbit One and underestimated by the Garmin Vivofit.

Conclusions: Energy expenditure reported by the devices distinguished between walking and running, with a general increase as exercise intensity increased. However, the reported energy expenditure from these devices should be interpreted with caution, given their potential bias and error.

Practical implications
• Although devices report the same outcome of EE estimation, they are not equivalent to each other and differ from criterion measurements during walking and running.

• These devices are not suitable as research measurement tools for recording precise and accurate EE estimates but may be suitable for use in interventions of behaviour change as they provide feedback to user on trends in energy expenditure.

• If intending to use these devices in studies where precise measurements of energy expenditure are required, researchers need to undertake specific validation and reliability studies prior to interventions and the collection of cross-sectional data.

Keywordsactivity tracker; physiologic; running; walking; accelerometer; wearable technology
Year2017
JournalJournal of Medical Engineering and Technology
Journal citation41 (3), pp. 208-215
PublisherTaylor & Francis
ISSN1464-522X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/03091902.2016.1253795
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85002487058
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range208-215
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online05 Dec 2016
Publication process dates
Accepted20 Oct 2016
Deposited20 May 2022
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