Validation of a novel device to measure and provide feedback on sedentary behavior

Gill, J. M.R. et al. (2018) Validation of a novel device to measure and provide feedback on sedentary behavior. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 50(3), pp. 525-532. (doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001458) (PMID:29040225) (PMCID:PMC5828381)

Abstract

Purpose. Pedometers, which enable self-monitoring of step counts, are effective in facilitating increases in physical activity. Similar devices which provide real-time feedback on sedentary (sitting) behavior are limited. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel device – the SitFIT – which could accurately measure and provide feedback on sedentary behavior and physical activity. Methods. The SitFIT is a tri-axial accelerometer, developed by PAL Technologies, which is worn in the front trouser pocket. This enables tracking of thigh inclination and therefore differentiation between sitting and upright postures, as well as tracking of step count. It has a display to provide user feedback. To determine the validity of the SitFIT for measuring sedentary behavior and step counts, 21 men, aged 30-65 years, with body mass index 26.6±3.9 kg.m-2 wore a SitFIT in a front trouser pocket and an activPAL accelerometer attached to their thigh for up to seven days. Outputs from the SitFIT were compared with the activPAL, which was assumed to provide gold-standard measurements of sitting and step counts. Results. Mean step counts were ~4% lower with the SitFIT than activPAL, with correlation between the two methods being very high (r=0.98) and no obvious bias from the line of equality (regression line: y=1.0035x+418.35). Mean sedentary time was ~5% higher with the SitFIT than activPAL, correlation between methods was high (r=0.84) and the equation of the regression line was close to the line of equality (y=0.8728x+38.445). Conclusions. The SitFIT has excellent validity for measurement of free-living step counts and sedentary time and therefore addresses a clear need for a device that can be used as a tool to provide feedback on sedentary behavior to facilitate behavior change.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wyke, Professor Sally and Martin, Dr Anne and Gray, Professor Cindy and Hawari, Nabeha Saleh A and Hunt, Professor Kathryn and Gill, Professor Jason and Bunn, Dr Christopher
• Authors: Gill, J. M.R., Hawari, N. S.A., Maxwell, D. J., Louden, D., Mourselas, N., Bunn, C., Gray, C. M., van der Ploeg, H. P., Hunt, K., Martin, A., Wyke, S., and Mutrie, N.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins
• ISSN: 0195-9131
• ISSN (Online): 1530-0315
• Published Online: 16 October 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 50(3):525-532
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
63085	1	EUROFIT: Social innovation to improve physical activity and sedentary behaviour through elite European football	Sally Wyke	European Commission (EC)	602170	SPS - INST. OF HEALTH & WELLBEING
72764	1	Understanding and Improving Health within Settings and Organisations	Kathryn Hunt	Medical Research Council (MRC)	MC_UU_12017/12	HW - MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit