Validation of the Sensewear Armband during recreational in-line skating

Abstract

Multi-sensor body monitors that combine accelerometry with other physiological data are designed to overcome drawbacks of accelerometers in assessing activities with little or no vertical movement. One of such devices is the Sensewear Armband (SWA) which has been extensively validated during various activities. However, very few of the validation studies included activities other than walking and running. The aim of this investigation was to assess the validity of the SWA during recreational in-line skating. Nineteen participants (11 females and 8 males), 28 (±6) years of age, performed in-line skating exercise on a circular track at a self-selected pace. Energy expenditure was measured with the SWA and the Cosmed K4b(2) breath-by-breath portable metabolic unit. The mean (SD) energy expenditure during in-line skating estimated by the SWA [25.5 (5.8) kJ/min] was significantly lower compared with indirect calorimetry [44.2 (9.7) kJ/min, P < 0.001]. Similarly, the mean (SD) MET values recorded by the SWA were also lower compared with IC [5.3 (1.0) METs vs. 9.1 (1.6) METs, P < 0.001]. The ratio limits of agreement suggest that in 95% of cases the SWA will underestimate the energy expenditure and MET values during in-line skating by as much as 24-56% compared with indirect calorimetry. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that the SWA is not able to overcome the drawbacks of accelerometry in assessing activities with limited vertical movement.

Validation Of The Bodymedia Mini Armband To Estimate Energy Expenditure Of Female Basketball Players During Variable Intensity Game-like Conditions

“…The sport of basketball incorporates jumping side to side shuffling, and quick movements in any direction. Previous studies have implemented protocols that will allow for steady state to be established (31,22,39,40,78,43,51,52,76). The present study appears to be the first deliberate protocol, which did not allow for a steady state to occur.…”

“…Similarly, Sorjic et al, (76) found strong correlations between EE measured by IC and EE estimated from the SenseWear Pro Armband (r= 0.81). Koehler and colleagues (43) reported a significant correlation (r= 0.73) between the SWA and EE measured by the doubly labeled water method (DLW) for daily total energy expenditure.…”

“…However, HR monitors appear to provide a less accurate assessment of EE during low (<110 b·min -1 ), or high (> 150 b·min -1 ) intensity activities (85,32,76,26,37,50,15). Furthermore, gender, weight, VO 2 , BMI, high ambient temperature, high humidity, hydration level, posture, illness, emotional stress, caffeinated drinks, and age appears to be factors influencing the relationship between HR and EE.…”

“…It seems that during the 30-minute basketball skills session the Mini cannot overcome these limitations despite using heat-related measurements in addition to accelerometry (1). Furthermore, accelerometry has been shown to be less accurate at detecting vertical movements (76). In basketball this could be problematic due to its multi-planar movements.…”

Energy expenditure by multisensor armband in overweight and obese lactating women validated by doubly labeled water

“…The SenseWear (SWA) Pro 2 armband is a product that differs from other accelerometers in that it uses galvanic skin response, skin temperature, and heat flux to provide estimates of energy expenditure (SWA; BodyMedia, Inc., Pittsburg, PA). The validity and reliability of the SWA for measuring TEE and resting energy expenditure (REE) have been evaluated in normal-and overweight subjects during rest and at different levels of activity (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). In adults, TEE measured by SWA (TEE SWA ) compared to TEE measured by DLW (TEE DLW ) has generally shown good agreement on a group level, although a slight underestimation of TEE SWA has been found with greater underestimation at higher levels of energy expenditure (10,13).…”