Reliability of a smartphone application to measure physical activity. Issue 3 (4th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Caputo, Eduardo L.; Feter, Natan; Alberton, Cristine L.; Leite, Jayne S.; Rodrigues, Alysson N.; Dumith, Samuel de C.; Silva, Marcelo C. da
• Is Part Of: Research in sports medicine. Volume 30:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 264
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2022-05-04
• Subjects: Data accuracy -- pedometer -- android applications -- physical activity; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine du sport -- Périodiques; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2021.1899919
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1543-8627

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate how accurate is a smartphone app to measure a physical activity parameter (steps). Physical Education undergraduate students (n = 46), both male and female, were recruited. A tally counter, a validated device (Xiaomi Mi Band 2®) and My Active Life app were used to perform the steps count. Each participant took three low-intensity treadmill walks (5 km h −1 ), with a number of target steps (500-, 1000- and 1500-steps walk). Visual agreement analyses was performed through Bland-Altman plots. There was no significant interaction between steps walks and device during treadmill walking test ( F (2, 84) = 3.854; p = 0.07). Differences in steps measured by Mi Band were not different from 0 in 500-steps walk ( p = 0.243) and 1000-steps walk ( p = 0.350), and in My Active Life in 500-steps walk ( p = 0.177) and 1500-steps walk ( p = 0.221). Bland-Altman analyses indicated an acceptable agreement between My active Life app and Mi Band devices for 1000-steps walk (−359.01; 310.43) and 1500-steps walk (−572.97; 377.11). In conclusion, My Active Life app showed accuracy in measuring total steps, in longer walking activities (e.g. higher than 1000 steps), and can be used on a daily basis and in research setting.