Validity of Physical Activity Monitors for Estimating Energy Expenditure During Wheelchair Propulsion
in Journal of Physical Activity and HealthClick name to view affiliation
Background:
It is unknown if activity monitors can detect the increased energy expenditure (EE) of wheelchair propulsion at different speeds or on different surfaces.
Methods:
Individuals who used manual wheelchairs (n = 14) performed 5 wheeling activities: on a level surface at 3 speeds, on a rubberized track at 1 fixed speed and on a sidewalk course at a self-selected speed. EE was measured using a portable indirect calorimetry system and estimated by an Actical (AC) worn on the wrist and a SenseWear (SW) activity monitor worn on the upper arm. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare measured EE to the estimates from the standard AC prediction equation and SW using 2 different equations.
Results:
Repeated-measures ANOVA demonstrated a significant main effect between measured EE and estimated EE. There were no differences between the criterion method and the AC across the 5 activities. The SW overestimated EE when wheeling at 3 speeds on a level surface, and during sidewalk wheeling. The wheelchair-specific SW equation improved the EE prediction during low intensity activities, but error progressively increased during higher intensity activities.
Conclusions:
During manual wheelchair propulsion, the wrist-mounted AC provided valid estimates of EE, whereas the SW tended to overestimate EE.
Conger (scottconger@boisestate.edu) is with the Dept of Kinesiology, Boise State University, Boise, ID. Scott, Fitzhugh, Thompson, and Bassett are with the Dept of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.
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