Physical activity monitor for recording energy expenditure in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the energy expenditure recorded with the physical activity monitor SenseWear™ Pro(2) Armband differs from that recorded with indirect calorimetry. DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparison of measures of energy expenditure. SETTING: A convenient sample recruited from a randomized controlled trial. POPULATION: Twenty-nine pregnant women (24-43 years old). METHODS: Energy expenditure was recorded with SenseWear™ Pro(2) Armband and a portable oxygen analyzer for 90 minutes while carrying out a variety of activities of different intensities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Energy expenditure recorded with the physical activity monitor SenseWear™ Pro(2) Armband. RESULTS: Comparing energy expenditure during free-living activities, the mean differences and limits of agreements from Bland-Altman plots was -136±343 kJ, giving an underestimation of energy expenditure by 9%. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.85 (95% confidence interval 0.71-0.93; p<0.001), giving 85% of the variance explained by differences among individuals. CONCLUSIONS: SenseWear™ Pro(2) Armband is a valid measure of energy expenditure during pregnancy.