February 24, 2016European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
Validation of Fitbit-Flex as a measure of free-living physical activity in a community-based phase III cardiac rehabilitation population
Key result
Fitbit-Flex was significantly correlated with Actigraph for step counts (r=0.95) but over-estimated steps by 1038 per day and MVPA by 10 minutes per day.
Why the study?
Does the Fitbit-Flex accurately measure daily step counts and MVPA compared to the Actigraph accelerometer in a cardiac rehabilitation population?
Population
48 cardiac patients and family members participating in community-based exercise programs, mean age 65.6 ±…
Comparison
Fitbit-Flex activity monitor worn over four days vs Actigraph accelerometer worn simultaneously
Design
Cross-sectional
Follow-up
4 days
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
Overestimation by Fitbit-Flex warrants caution for precise activity tracking in cardiac rehab; leaves open need for device calibration studies.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=48)
Structured PICO
Does the Fitbit-Flex accurately measure daily step counts and MVPA compared to the Actigraph accelerometer in a cardiac rehabilitation population?
P
Population
48 cardiac patients and family members (mean age 65.6 years) participating in community-based exercise programs, monitored over 4 days.
E
Exposure
Fitbit-Flex activity monitor worn over four days
C
Comparator
Actigraph accelerometer worn simultaneously
O
Outcome
Daily step counts and minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA)surrogate
Main Result
Effect estimate: r = 0.95 for step counts; r = 0.74 for MVPA
Fitbit-Flex is a valid tool for assessing attainment of physical activity guidelines in cardiac rehabilitation patients, despite slight overestimation of steps and MVPA.
Limitations
- The device slightly over-estimates step counts and MVPA
Cite This Study
Alharbi et al. (2016) conducted an observational in Cardiac rehabilitation (n=48). Fitbit-Flex vs. Actigraph accelerometer was evaluated on Daily step counts and minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (r = 0.95 for step counts; r = 0.74 for MVPA). Fitbit-Flex was significantly correlated with Actigraph for step counts (r=0.95) but over-estimated steps by 1038 per day and MVPA by 10 minutes per day.