Abstract
PurposeTo assess the validity of two accelerometer devices, at two different anatomical locations, for the prediction of physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) in manual wheelchair users (MWUs).MethodsSeventeen MWUs (36 ± 10 yrs, 72 ± 11 kg) completed ten activities; resting, folding clothes, propulsion on a 1% gradient (3,4,5,6 and 7 km·hr-1) and propulsion at 4km·hr-1 (with an additional 8% body mass, 2% and 3% gradient) on a motorised wheelchair treadmill. GT3X+ and GENEActiv accelerometers were worn on the right wrist (W) and upper arm (UA). Linear regression analysis was conducted between outputs from each accelerometer and criterion PAEE, measured using indirect calorimetry. Subsequent error statistics were calculated for the derived regression equations for all four device/location combinations, using a leave-one-out cross-validation analysis.ResultsAccelerometer outputs at each anatomical location were significantly (p < .01) associated with PAEE (GT3X+-UA; r = 0.68 and GT3X+-W; r = 0.82. GENEActiv-UA; r = 0.87 and GENEActiv-W; r = 0.88). Mean ± SD PAEE estimation errors for all activities combined were 15 ± 45%, 14 ± 50%, 3 ± 25% and 4 ± 26% for GT3X+-UA, GT3X+-W, GENEActiv-UA and GENEActiv-W, respectively. Absolute PAEE estimation errors for devices varied, 19 to 66% for GT3X+-UA, 17 to 122% for GT3X+-W, 15 to 26% for GENEActiv-UA and from 17.0 to 32% for the GENEActiv-W.ConclusionThe results indicate that the GENEActiv device worn on either the upper arm or wrist provides the most valid prediction of PAEE in MWUs. Variation in error statistics between the two devices is a result of inherent differences in internal components, on-board filtering processes and outputs of each device.
Highlights
The positive contribution of regular physical activity (PA) to weight balance, metabolic regulation and cardiovascular fitness is well documented and broadly accepted in the able-bodied population [1]
The results indicate that the GENEActiv device worn on either the upper arm or wrist provides the most valid prediction of physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) in manual wheelchair users (MWUs)
Variation in error statistics between the two devices is a result of inherent differences in internal components, on-board filtering processes and outputs of each device
Summary
The positive contribution of regular physical activity (PA) to weight balance, metabolic regulation and cardiovascular fitness is well documented and broadly accepted in the able-bodied population [1]. Epidemiological studies concerning the impact of PA on health in wheelchair users with a spinal cord injury (SCI) have been limited to assessing associations between subjective reports of activities of daily living (ADL) [2] or leisure time physical activity (LTPA) [3] and chronic disease risk factors The assessment of these constructs in previous studies were quantified via the Physical Activity Recall Assessment for people with a SCI [PARA-SCI; [4]], which is administered via a telephone interview. Despite the aforementioned limitations, quantifying free living PA among wheelchair users has mostly been restricted to self-report measurements As such there is a requirement to develop unobtrusive objective measurement tools that can be used to characterise the association between physical activity and metabolic health in this population
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