Login / Signup

Agreement between Fitbit and ActiGraph Estimates of Physical Activity in Young Children.

Michael D SchmidtStephen L RathbunZhixuan ChuBenjamin D BoudreauxLindsay HahnEric NovotnyKyle JohnsenSun Joo Grace Ahn
Published in: Measurement in physical education and exercise science (2022)
Physical activity (PA) estimates from the Fitbit Flex 2 were compared to those from the ActiGraph GT9X Link in 123 elementary school children. Steps and intensity-specific estimates of PA and 3-month PA change were calculated using two different ActiGraph cut-points (Evenson and Romanzini). Fitbit estimates were 35% higher for steps compared to the ActiGraph. Fitbit and ActiGraph intensity-specific estimates were closest for sedentary and light PA while estimates of moderate and vigorous PA varied substantially depending upon the ActiGraph cut-points used. Spearman correlations between device estimates were higher for steps ( r s =.70) than for moderate ( r s =.54 to .55) or vigorous ( r s =.29 to .48) PA. There was low concordance between devices in assessing PA changes over time. Agreement between Fitbit Flex 2 and ActiGraph estimates may depend upon the cut-points used to classify PA intensity. However, there is fair to good agreement between devices in ranking children's steps and MVPA.
Keyphrases
  • physical activity
  • high intensity
  • body mass index