Fitbit Flex Energy Expenditure and Step Count Evaluation
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2017
Publication Title
Journal of Exercise Physiology online
Volume
20
Issue
5
First page number:
134
Last page number:
140
Abstract
Energy expenditure (EE) and step count (SC) was measured with a Fitbit Flex wrist-worn activity tracker (FWAT) during a two-day walking protocol. Forty-nine volunteers participated on day 1, 46 on day 2, 31 were used for reliability. Participants walked for 3 min at 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 mph at 0% grade on both days. An Applied Electrochemistry MOXUS Metabolic System (MX) with steps counted were the baseline comparisons. Data was analyzed using dependent t-tests (P<0.05) and Cronbach's α (≥0.70). For EE; (1.5 mph; P<0.01, Standard Error(SE): FWAT 19.43 ± 0.73; MX 11.9 ± 0.32, α=0.56. 2.5 mph; P<0.01, SE: FWAT 25.0 ± 0.75; MX 14.43 ± 0.38, α=0.72. 3.5 mph; P<0.01, SE: FWAT 27.2 ± 0.77; MX 19.43 ± .049, α=0.67). For SC; (1.5 mph; P<0.01, SE: FWAT 231 ± 6.02; MC 269 ± 2.58, α=0.55. 2.5 mph; P=0.03, SE: FWAT 323 ± 4.39; MC 332 ± 2.18, α=0.50. 3.5 mph; P<0.01, SE: FWAT 366 ± 3.22; MC 380 ± 2.21, α=0.66). The FWAT significantly overestimated EE with reliability at 2.5 mph and significantly underestimated SC without reliability at any speed.
Keywords
Fitbit, Physical fitness, Walking, Wearable technology
Language
eng
Repository Citation
Montes, J.,
Young, J. C.,
Tandy, R. D.,
Navalta, J. W.
(2017).
Fitbit Flex Energy Expenditure and Step Count Evaluation.
Journal of Exercise Physiology online, 20(5),
134-140.