Comparison of the FitBit Zip to the ActiCal accelerometer in children and adults
Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Portable fitness-tracking devices are part of a broader category of wearable
technological devices. The wearable device industry is poised to explode and research
firms such as Juniper and IMS predict wearable devices to be a multi-billion dollar
industry by 2016. Newly released portable fitness-tracking devices claim to measure
various physical activity related variables including energy expenditure and total
activity time. With growing concern for obesity prevention, the availability and
affordability of these devices could allow children and adults to monitor their physical
activity to ensure they meet published guidelines related to physical activity. This
study proposed using the Actical accelerometer to validate the accuracy of the FitBit
Zip measurements. Participants included healthy children between the ages of 8 and
14 years and healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 40 years. Each participant was
fitted with an ActiCal accelerometer and FitBit Zip device and each participant
performed a physical activity protocol consisting of sedentary, light, moderate, and
vigorous intensities. Laboratory accelerometers, such as the ActiCal accelerometer,
are a valid tool in measuring the physical activity in children and adults whereas
research is lacking in providing documented validity of the FitBit Zip.