another underestimated energy expenditure
by 57.3 per cent during resistance training
activities.
The authors concluded that some of the
consumer monitors provided a comparable
accuracy in estimating energy expenditure.
Trainers should note that there may be a
great deal of inaccuracy in current activity
monitors, and while they may serve
purposes, such as motivation for clients, the
accuracy in quantifying training loads may
vary greatly (depending upon the monitor
used and the activity performed).
Pros: This was a good, practical study
and the only one we could locate that
investigated the accuracy of general use
commercially available activity monitors.
Individuals considering purchasing an
activity monitor would benefit greatly by
reading the article in its entirety, particularly
with emphasis on the accuracy of the
various monitors specific to the intended
use of the exerciser. It is important to note
that although these devices are simplistic
in appearance, they were compared to an
expensive, sophisticated (and accurate)
laboratory grade scientific analyser.
Cons: The conditions in which the
participants completed the activities were
quite varied. It would have been beneficial
to have more stringent conditions (i.e.
same aerobic exercise, resistance training
exercises and intensities), although the
use by participants is clearly a more real
world approach. It should also be noted
that, unfortunately, the Polar Loop was
The 30-second article
Table 1. Recorded energy expenditure in activity monitors
Total energy expenditure
(Kcal/80mins)
Difference
(Kcal)
Oxycon Mobile (base used
for comparison)
316.8
--
ActiGraph GT3X
305.9
-10.9
Fitbit Flex
337.2
+20.4
Jawbone Up24
290.7
-26.1
BodyMedia Core
351.0
+34.2
Monitor
Nike Fuelband SE
274.5
-42.4
Misfit Shine
395.5
+78.7
Note: adapted from Table 1 (Bai et al., 2015)
removed from data analysis due to
technical problems.
We are aware that some activity
monitors have heart rate monitoring
capabilities, and we look forward
to locating a published study which
investigates the accuracy of activity
trackers on exercise heart rate.
Associate Professor Mike Climstein, PhD
FASMF FACSM FAAESS is one of Australia’s
leading Accredited Exercise Physiologists and
researchers. [email protected]
Joe Walsh, MSc is a sport and exercise
scientist. As well as working for Charles
Darwin and Bond Univer ͥѥ