Validity of the ActiGraph GT3X+and BodyMedia SenseWear Armband to estimate energy expenditure during physical activity and sport

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of the ActiGraph GT3X+ (GT3X+) and the BodyMedia SenseWear Armband (SWA) to estimate energy expenditure (EE) during physical activity and field sport movements. Design: Criterion validity. Methods: Twenty-six active adults completed a single 90 min session involving alternating intervals of exercise (5 min) and recovery (10 min). Exercise involved walking (4 km/h), jogging (8 km/h), running (12 km/h) or a sport-simulated circuit (three intervals). Participants wore two triaxial accelerometers (GT3X+ and SWA) and a portable gas analyser (MetaMax 3B), used as the criterion measure. Results: Total EE was significantly underestimated (p <0.01) by the GT3X+ (mean bias +/- SD: -374.5 +/- 132.84 kJ; % difference = -29.3%) and SWA (-244.3 +/- 148.0 kJ; -18.2%). Overestimations were made by both accelerometers during the walk (GT3X+: 27.4 +/- 30.8 kJ; SWA: 32.1 +/- 15.4 kJ) and jog (38.0 +/- 30.0 kJ; 34.5 +/- 31.6 kJ). Underestimations were evident during the run (-41.2 +/- 25.1 kJ; - 43.8 +/- 33.5 kJ) and circuit (C1: GTX+:-127.2 +/- 41.6 kJ; SWA:-86.1 +/- 40.2 kJ). Error of estimation increased in magnitude as the intensity of exercise increased (GT3X+: 40.8-143.0 kJ; SWA: 35.5-102.0 kJ). Conclusions: The ActiGraph GT3X+ and BodyMedia SWA do not provide valid EE estimates across a range of exercise modalities and intensities when compared to a criterion measure. Poor accuracy and large precision errors, particularly during high intensity and intermittent movement patterns, suggest these devices have limitations and should be used cautiously in the field. (C) 2017 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.