Reliability of a smartphone application to measure physical activity

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate how accurate is a smartphone app to measure a physical activity parameter (steps). Physical Education undergraduate students (n = 46), both male and female, were recruited. A tally counter, a validated device (Xiaomi Mi Band 2®) and My Active Life app were used to perform the steps count. Each participant took three low-intensity treadmill walks (5 km h−1), with a number of target steps (500-, 1000- and 1500-steps walk). Visual agreement analyses was performed through Bland-Altman plots. There was no significant interaction between steps walks and device during treadmill walking test (F (2,84) = 3.854; p = 0.07). Differences in steps measured by Mi Band were not different from 0 in 500-steps walk (p = 0.243) and 1000-steps walk (p = 0.350), and in My Active Life in 500-steps walk (p = 0.177) and 1500-steps walk (p = 0.221). Bland-Altman analyses indicated an acceptable agreement between My active Life app and Mi Band devices for 1000-steps walk (−359.01; 310.43) and 1500-steps walk (−572.97; 377.11). In conclusion, My Active Life app showed accuracy in measuring total steps, in longer walking activities (e.g. higher than 1000 steps), and can be used on a daily basis and in research setting.