Reliability and validity of two fitness tracker devices in the laboratory and home environment for older community-dwelling people
© 2018 The Author(s). Background: Two-thirds of older Australians are sedentary. Fitness trackers have been popular with younger people and may encourage older adults to become more active. Older adults may have different gait patterns and as such it is important to establish whether fitness tracker...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
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BioMed Central Ltd
2018
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/69316 |
| _version_ | 1848762030067023872 |
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| author | Burton, Elissa Hill, Keith Lautenschlager, N. Thogersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie Lewin, Gill Boyle, Eileen Howie, E. |
| author_facet | Burton, Elissa Hill, Keith Lautenschlager, N. Thogersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie Lewin, Gill Boyle, Eileen Howie, E. |
| author_sort | Burton, Elissa |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | © 2018 The Author(s). Background: Two-thirds of older Australians are sedentary. Fitness trackers have been popular with younger people and may encourage older adults to become more active. Older adults may have different gait patterns and as such it is important to establish whether fitness trackers are valid and reliable for this population. The aim of the study was to test the reliability and validity of two fitness trackers (Fitbit Flex and ChargeHR) by step count when worn by older adults. Reliability and validity were tested in two conditions: 1) in the laboratory using a two-minute-walk-test (2MWT) and 2) in a free-living environment. Methods: Two 2MWTs were completed while wearing the fitness trackers. Participants were videoed during each test. Participants were then given one fitness tracker and a GENEactiv accelerometer to wear at home for 14-days. Results: Thirty-one participants completed two 2MWTs and 30 completed the free-living procedure. Intra Class Correlation's of the fitness trackers with direct observation of steps (criterion validity) was high (ICC:0.86,95%CI:0.76,0.93). However, both fitness trackers underestimated steps. Excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.75) was found between the two 2MWTs for each device, particularly the ChargeHR devices. Good strength of agreement was found for total distance and steps (fitness tracker) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (GENEactiv) for the free-living environment (Spearman Rho's 0.78 and 0.74 respectively). Conclusion: Reliability and validity of the Flex and ChargeHR when worn by older adults is good, however both devices underestimated step count within the laboratory environment. These fitness trackers appear suitable for consumer use and promoting physical activity for older adults. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T10:41:05Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-69316 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T10:41:05Z |
| publishDate | 2018 |
| publisher | BioMed Central Ltd |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-693162018-09-27T01:51:11Z Reliability and validity of two fitness tracker devices in the laboratory and home environment for older community-dwelling people Burton, Elissa Hill, Keith Lautenschlager, N. Thogersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie Lewin, Gill Boyle, Eileen Howie, E. © 2018 The Author(s). Background: Two-thirds of older Australians are sedentary. Fitness trackers have been popular with younger people and may encourage older adults to become more active. Older adults may have different gait patterns and as such it is important to establish whether fitness trackers are valid and reliable for this population. The aim of the study was to test the reliability and validity of two fitness trackers (Fitbit Flex and ChargeHR) by step count when worn by older adults. Reliability and validity were tested in two conditions: 1) in the laboratory using a two-minute-walk-test (2MWT) and 2) in a free-living environment. Methods: Two 2MWTs were completed while wearing the fitness trackers. Participants were videoed during each test. Participants were then given one fitness tracker and a GENEactiv accelerometer to wear at home for 14-days. Results: Thirty-one participants completed two 2MWTs and 30 completed the free-living procedure. Intra Class Correlation's of the fitness trackers with direct observation of steps (criterion validity) was high (ICC:0.86,95%CI:0.76,0.93). However, both fitness trackers underestimated steps. Excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.75) was found between the two 2MWTs for each device, particularly the ChargeHR devices. Good strength of agreement was found for total distance and steps (fitness tracker) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (GENEactiv) for the free-living environment (Spearman Rho's 0.78 and 0.74 respectively). Conclusion: Reliability and validity of the Flex and ChargeHR when worn by older adults is good, however both devices underestimated step count within the laboratory environment. These fitness trackers appear suitable for consumer use and promoting physical activity for older adults. 2018 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/69316 10.1186/s12877-018-0793-4 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ BioMed Central Ltd fulltext |
| spellingShingle | Burton, Elissa Hill, Keith Lautenschlager, N. Thogersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie Lewin, Gill Boyle, Eileen Howie, E. Reliability and validity of two fitness tracker devices in the laboratory and home environment for older community-dwelling people |
| title | Reliability and validity of two fitness tracker devices in the laboratory and home environment for older community-dwelling people |
| title_full | Reliability and validity of two fitness tracker devices in the laboratory and home environment for older community-dwelling people |
| title_fullStr | Reliability and validity of two fitness tracker devices in the laboratory and home environment for older community-dwelling people |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reliability and validity of two fitness tracker devices in the laboratory and home environment for older community-dwelling people |
| title_short | Reliability and validity of two fitness tracker devices in the laboratory and home environment for older community-dwelling people |
| title_sort | reliability and validity of two fitness tracker devices in the laboratory and home environment for older community-dwelling people |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/69316 |