Research article - (2024)23, 79 - 96
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2024.79
Criterion-Related Validity of Consumer-Wearable Activity Trackers for Estimating Steps in Primary Schoolchildren under Controlled Conditions: Fit-Person Study
Daniel Mayorga-Vega1, Carolina Casado-Robles2, Santiago Guijarro-Romero3,, Jesús Viciana2
1Departamento de Didáctica de las Lenguas, las Artes y el Deporte, Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
2Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
3Department of Didactic of Musical, Plastic and Corporal Expression, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain

Santiago Guijarro-Romero
✉ Department of Didactic of Musical, Plastic and Corporal Expression, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén, 1, 47011, Valladolid, Spain
Email: santigr93@gmail.com
Received: 23-10-2023 -- Accepted: 12-12-2023
Published (online): 01-03-2024
ABSTRACT

The purposes were to examine the criterion-related validity of the steps estimated by consumer-wearable activity trackers (wrist-worn activity trackers: Fitbit Ace 2, Garmin Vivofit Jr, and Xiomi Mi Band 5; smartphone applications: Pedometer, Pedometer Pacer Health, and Google Fit/Apple Health) and their comparability in primary schoolchildren under controlled conditions. An initial sample of 66 primary schoolchildren (final sample = 56; 46.4% females), aged 9-12 years old (mean = 10.4 ± 1.0 years), wore three wrist-worn activity trackers (Fitbit Ace 2, Garmin Vivofit Jr 2, and Xiaomi Mi Band 5) on their non-dominant wrist and had three applications in two smartphones (Pedometer, Pedometer Pacer Health, and Google Fit/Apple Health for Android/iOS installed in Samsung Galaxy S20+/iPhone 11 Pro Max) in simulated front trouser pockets. Primary schoolchildren’s steps estimated by the consumer-wearable activity trackers and the video-based counting independently by two researchers (gold standard) were recorded while they performed a 200-meter course in slow, normal and brisk pace walking, and running conditions. Results showed that the criterion-related validity of the step scores estimated by the three Samsung applications and the Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 were good-excellent in the four walking/running conditions (e.g., MAPE = 0.6-2.3%; lower 95% CI of the ICC = 0.81-0.99), as well as being comparable. However, the Apple applications, Fitbit Ace 2, and Xiaomi Mi Band 5 showed poor criterion-related validity and comparability on some walking/running conditions (e.g., lower 95% CI of the ICC < 0.70). Although, as in real life primary schoolchildren also place their smartphones in other parts (e.g., schoolbags, hands or even somewhere away from the body), the criterion-related validity of the Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 potentially would be considerably higher than that of the Samsung applications. The findings of the present study highlight the potential of the Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 for monitoring primary schoolchildren’s steps under controlled conditions.
Key words: Validation, wrist-worn activity trackers, smartphone applications, step counts, children, laboratory conditions

Key Points
  • The PA applications Pedometer, Pedometer Pacer Health, and Google Fit for Android and the wrist-worn activity tracker Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 showed good-excellent criterion-related validity for estimating steps in primary schoolchildren under controlled conditions.
  • The PA applications Pedometer, Pedometer Pacer Health, and Google Fit for Android and the wrist-worn activity tracker Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 were comparable for estimating steps in primary schoolchildren under controlled conditions.
  • The Apple applications and the wrist-worn activity trackers Fitbit Ace 2 and Xiaomi Mi Band 5 have not shown an acceptable criterion-related validity for estimating steps, as well as not being comparable, on some walking/running conditions.
  • Since in real life primary schoolchildren also place their smartphones in other places (e.g., schoolbags, hands or even somewhere away from the body), the criterion-related validity of the Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 potentially would be considerably higher than that of the Samsung applications.








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Criterion-Related Validity of Consumer-Wearable Activity Trackers for Estimating Steps in Primary Schoolchildren under Controlled Conditions: Fit-Person Study
Daniel Mayorga-Vega, Carolina Casado-Robles, Santiago Guijarro-Romero, Jesús Viciana
2024(23), 79 - 96.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2024.79