Validation of the SenseWear Pro Armband™ to Estimate Energy Expenditure during a Simulation of Daily Activity

Abstract

The SenseWear Pro Armband™ is a recently developed portable device that incorporates multiple parameters to improve the estimation of energy expenditure. However, this device needs further study to determine if it can provide an accurate estimate of energy expenditure during common activity patterns experienced through a typical day. PURPOSE: To examine the accuracy of the SenseWear Pro ArmbandTM (BodyMedia, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA) to measure energy expenditure during a combination of activities that simulate a typical daily activity pattern. METHODS: Fourteen subjects (age = 25.6 + 3.9years, BMI = 27.4 + 3.2 kg/m2) performed a 60 minute activity session. The 60 minute activity session involved the following activities performed in sequence: 10 minutes of sitting, 10 minutes of walking (3.0mph, 0%), 5 minutes of sitting, 2 minutes of walking (2.5mph, 0%), 5 minutes of sitting, 2 minutes of walking (3.0mph, 0%), 5 minutes of sitting, 2 minutes of walking (3.0mph, 0%), 5 minutes of sitting, 2 minutes of walking (3.0mph, 0%), 5 minutes of sitting, 2 minutes of walking (2.5mph, 0%), 5 minutes of sitting. Subjects wore the SenseWear Pro ArmbandTM on the right arm, with energy expenditure compared to indirect calorimetry (Viasys Vmax Spectra), which served as the criterion measure. RESULTS: During this 60 minute activity session, energy expenditure was 175.8+33.6 kcal for indirect calorimetry and 156.7+48.4 kcal for SenseWear Pro ArmbandTM (p>0.05), a 10% error when compared to indirect calorimetry. There was a significant correlation between energy expenditure measure by indirect calorimetry and the SenseWear Pro ArmbandTM (r = 0.71, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the SenseWear Pro ArmbandTM appears to provide an accurate estimate of energy expenditure during a simulation of daily patterns of activity involving sitting, standing, and walking. Future studies should continue to refine the SenseWear Pro ArmbandTM technology to further enhance the accuracy of this device. This may provide an opportunity to objectively and accurately assess free-living energy expenditure, and therefore enhance the understanding of the contribution of energy expenditure to health-related outcomes.