Comparative interinstrument reliability of uniaxial and triaxial accelerometers in free-living conditions

Percept Mot Skills. 2012 Apr;114(2):584-94. doi: 10.2466/03.26.PMS.114.2.584-594.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to measure the inter-instrument reliability of the ActiGraph and RT3 accelerometers in free-living conditions. 15 healthy adults wore eight ActiGraph accelerometers and five RT3 accelerometers fastened to their back with an elastic belt and adjustable buckle in free-living conditions. For both accelerometers, the inter-instrument coefficient of variation (CV) decreased with increasing physical activity intensity. The inter-instrument CV of the ActiGraph (3% to 10.5%) was significantly lower than that of the RT3 (12.6% to 35.5%; p < 0.05). This finding demonstrates that the ActiGraph has higher inter-instrument reliability than the RT3. For both accelerometers, the inter-instrument reliability was higher for moderate and vigorous physical activity, the two intensities recommended for public health purposes. Studies using these devices can be compared with a low risk of misclassification of participants who meet the recommendation to perform moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Equipment and Supplies / standards*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Monitoring, Ambulatory / instrumentation*
  • Monitoring, Ambulatory / standards
  • Motor Activity / physiology*
  • Reproducibility of Results