Accuracy Of Fitbit Activity Monitor To Predict Energy Expend...

: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

13/01/2012 21:25

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise:

May 2011 - Volume 43 - Issue 5 - p 62 doi: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000402857.55729.ab E-16 Thematic Poster - Predicting Energy Expenditure: JUNE 3, 2011 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: ROOM: 404

Accuracy Of Fitbit Activity Monitor To Predict Energy Expenditure With And Without Classification Of Activities: 725: Board #2 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Dannecker, Kathryn L.1; Petro, Sean A.1; Melanson, Edward L. FACSM2; Browning, Raymond C.1
Author Information
1Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.2University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO.

Email: kldannecker@gmail.com (No relationships reported) The Fitbit activity monitor is a consumer device for predicting energy expenditure (EE) and tracking activity patterns. To improve the EE estimation accuracy, Fitbit provides a web-based software program that allows a user to classify periods as distinct activities (based on the compendium of physical activities). However, the effect of this manual activity classification on EE estimation accuracy is not known. PURPOSE: To compare the EE prediction accuracy of the Fitbit before and after classifying activities. METHODS: Fifteen adults (7 male), 71.91(17.3) kg, 24.17(3.9) kg/m2, completed a four hour stay in a room calorimeter. Participants wore Fitbit on the right hip, and performed a series of randomly assigned activities/postures including supine, seated (quietly and using a computer), standing, walking, stepping, cycling, sweeping, and self-selected activities. We used the web-based software to classify each activity, and compared the estimated EE to the measured EE before and after activity classification.

RESULTS: Without activity classification, Fitbit significantly underestimated EE (368(18) vs. 499(24)kcal, mean(SE)). Classifying activities resulted in improved estimates of EE (516(13) vs. 499(24)kcal, mean(SE)). Root mean square error for non-classified EE was 136.7kcals (27.4%) and was reduced to 64.25kcals (12.9%) with activity classification. The non-classification estimates always underestimated EE, while the classified values were underestimated about half of the time, and were more accurate in all but two subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Fitbit is most accurate when the time is taken to classify the activities that were performed while wearing the device, though this may not be practical for the average consumer. 2011The American College of Sports Medicine

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