Validation of the SenseWear Mini activity monitor in 5-12-year-old children.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to validate SenseWear Mini software algorithm versions 2.2 (SW2.2) and 5.2 (SW5.2) for estimating energy expenditure (EE) in children.

DESIGN

Laboratory-based validation study.

METHODS

57 children aged 5-12 y completed a protocol involving 15 semi-structured sedentary (SED), light-intensity (LPA), and moderate- to vigorous-intensity (MVPA) physical activities. EE was estimated using portable indirect calorimetry (IC). The accuracy of EE estimates (kcal·min) from SW2.2 and SW5.2 were examined at the group level and individual level using the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), Bland-Altman plots and equivalence testing.

RESULTS

MAPE values were lower for SW5.2 (30.1±10.7%) than for SW2.2 (44.0±6.2%). Although mean differences for SW5.2 were smaller than for SW2.2 during SED (-0.23±0.22 vs. -0.61±0.20kcal·min), LPA (-0.69±0.76 vs. -1.07±0.46kcal·min) and MVPA (-2.22±1.15 vs. -2.57±1.15kcal·min), limits of agreement did not decrease for the updated algorithms. For all activities, SW2.2 and SW5.2 were not equivalent to IC (p>0.05). Errors increased with increasing intensity.

CONCLUSION

The current SenseWear Mini algorithms SW5.2 underestimated EE. The overall improved accuracy for SW5.2 was not accompanied with improved accuracy at the individual level and EE estimates were not equivalent to IC.