Field Evaluation of the Computer Science and Application's Inc. Activity Monitor during Running and Skating Training in Adolescent Athletes

This study investigated the validity of the CSA activity monitor for assessment of the total amount of physical activity in adolescent athletes. Activity data were compared to data on daily energy expenditure and its derivatives measured by the doubly labeled water method. Seven athletes (speed skaters) with a mean age of 18.2 ± 1.1 y were monitored twice (off-season and pre-season) by the activity monitor for eight consecutive days. The primary training during the off-season period was running whereas the pre-season period mainly involved skate training (i.e. inline skating, slideboard training, and skating imitations). Activity counts were significantly correlated to all energy estimates during the off-season period (r = 0.93 - 0.96; P < 0.01) whereas not during the pre-season period (r = 0.32 - 0.57). A two-way multivariate analysis of variance showed a significant period effect for activity counts (668 ± 163 vs. 548 ± 91; P = 0.026) whereas not for total daily energy expenditure (15.7 ± 2.1 MJ × d^-1 vs. 16.0 ± 1.0 MJ × d^-1; P = 0.71). The relationship between activity counts and total daily energy expenditure seems to be affected by different training conditions. Therefore these circumstances have to be carefully considered in the interpretation of activity monitor data.

Key words:

Accelerometer, doubly labeled water, energy expenditure, physical activity.

References

• 1 Almeras N O, Nimeault O, Seresse O, Boulay M R, Tremblay A. Non-exercise daily energy expenditure and physical activity patterns in male endurance athletes.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1991;  63 184-187
• 2 Black A E, Prentice A M, Coward W A. Use of food quotients to predict respiratory quotients for the doubly-labeled water method for measuring energy expenditure.  Hum Nutr Clin Nutr. 1986;  40 381-391
• 3 Boulay M R, Serresse O, Almeras N O, Tremblay A. Energy expenditure measurements in male cross-country skiers: comparison of two field methods.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993;  26 248-253
• 4 Bouten C VC, Verboeket-Van De Venne W PHG, Westerterp K R, Verduin M, Jansen J D. Daily physical activity assessment: comparison between movement registration and doubly labeled water.  J Appl Physiol. 1996;  81 1019-1026
• 5 Ceesay S M, Prentice A M, Day K C, Murgatroyd P R, Goldberg G R, Scott W. The use of heart rate monitoring in the estimation of energy expenditure: a validation study using the whole-body calorimetry.  Br J Nutr. 1989;  61 175-186
• 6 Computer Science and Applications Inc .Wrist Activity Monitor Users Manual Model 7164. 
• 7 Freedson P S, Melanson E, Sirard J. Calibration of the Computer Science and Applications, Inc. Accelerometer.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;  30 777-781
• 8 Hausswirth C, Bigard A X, Le Chevalier J M. The Cosmed K4 telemetry system as an accurate device for oxygen uptake measurements during exercise.  Int J Sports Med. 1997;  18 449-445
• 9 Heini A F, Minghelli G, Diaz E, Prentice A M, Schutz Y. Free-living energy expenditure assessed by two different methods in rural Gambian men.  Eur J Clin Nutr. 1996;  50 284-289
• 10 Johnson R K, Russ J, Goran M I. Physical activity energy expenditure in children by doubly labeled water as compared with the Caltrac accelerometer.  Int J Obes. 1998;  22 1046-1052
• 11 McArdle W D, Katch F I, Katch V L. Exercise Physiology. Baltimore; Wiliams & Wilkins 1996: 151
• 12 Montoye H J, Kemper H CG, Saris W HM, Washburn R A. Measuring Physical Activity and Energy Expenditure. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 1996
• 13 Murgatroyd P, Shetty P, Prentice A. Techniques for the measurement of human energy expenditure: a practical guide.  Int J Obes. 1993;  17 549-568
• 14 Schoeller D A. Measurement of energy expenditure in free living humans by using doubly labeled water.  J Nutr. 1988;  118 1278-1289
• 15 Schoeller D A, Racette S B. A review of field techniques for the assessment of energy expenditure.  J Nutr. 1990;  120 1492-1495
• 16 Schofield W N, Schofield C, James W PT. Basal metabolic rate-review and prediction, together with an annotated bibliography of source material.  Hum Nutr: Clin Nutr. 1985;  39C (suppl.) 5-41
• 17 Thompson J L. Energy balance in young athletes.  Int J Sports Nutr. 1998;  8 160-174
• 18 Trost S G, Ward D S, Moorehead S M, Watson P D, Riner W, Burke J R. Validity of the computer and science applications (CSA) activity monitor in children.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;  30 629-633
• 19 Tryon W W, Williams R. Fully proportional actigraphy: a new instrument.  Behav Res Methods Instrum Comp. 1996;  28 392-403
• 20 Weir J B de V. New methods for calculating metabolic rate with special reference to protein metabolism.  J Physiol. 1949;  109 1-9
• 21 Westerterp K R, Brouns F, Saris W HM, Ten Hoor F. Comparison of doubly labeled water with respirometry at low- and high-activity levels.  J Appl Physiol. 1988;  65 53-56
• 22 Westerterp K R, Donkers J H, Fredrix E W, Boekhoudt P. Energy intake, physical activity and body weight: a simulation model.  Br J Nutr. 1995;  73 337-347
• 23 Westerterp K R, Wouters L, Van Marken Lichtenbelt W D. The Maastricht protocol for the measurement of body composition and energy expenditure with labeled water.  Obes Res. 1995;  3 49-57
• 24 Åstrand P O, Rodahl K. Textbook of Work Physiology. New York; McGraw-Hill 1986: 188-190