Consumer Based Activity Monitor Studies

Background and Overview

Our research team has conducted numerous studies on various research grade monitors but recently established systematic methods for evaluating and comparing the various consumer monitors that have flooded the market.  With some exceptions most of the monitors have reasonable accuracy for consumer monitoring but the more important consideration may be whether it helps consumers be more physically active. Click links below to read up on the findings

Published Articles on Consumer Monitors

  1. Šimůnek, A., Dygrýn, J., Jakubec, L., Neuls, F., Frömel, K., & Welk, G. J. (2018). Validity of Garmin Vívofit 1 and Garmin Vívofit 3 for School-Based Physical Activity Monitoring. Pediatric exercise science, 20, 1-7.
  2. DeShaw KJ, Ellingson L, Bai Y, Lansing J, Perez M, Welk G. Methods for activity monitor validation studies: An example with the Fitbit Charge. Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour. 2018;1(3):130-35
  3. An, H. S., Jones, G. C., Kang, S. K., Welk, G. J., & Lee, J. M. (2017). How valid are wearable physical activity trackers for measuring steps? European journal of sport science, 17(3), 360-368.
  4. Bai, Y., Welk G.J., Nam, Y.H., Lee, J.A., Lee, J.M., Kim, Y., Meier, N.F., & Dixon, P.M. (2016). Comparison of consumer and research monitors under semi-structured settings. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 48(1):151-8. Click here.
  5. Lee, J. M., Kim, Y. W., Kwon, Y. S., Derrick, T. R., & Welk, G. J. (2015). Feasibility of calibrating smartphone to access physical activity. The Korean Journal of Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Education and Sport Science, 17(3), 1-10.
  6. Lee, J.M., Kim, Y., & Welk, G.J. (2014). Validity of consumer-based physical activity monitors. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 46(9):1840-8. Click here
  7. Lee, J.M., Kim, Y., & Welk, G.J. (2014). Validity and utility of consumer based physical activity monitors. ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal. 18 (4): 16-21. Click here



Media coverage on Consumer Monitors

The research on consumer monitors has been of considerable interest to the media and our work has been picked up in a number of news outlets.

Which One is Best?

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We are often asked about the relative accuracy and utility of the various monitors. We recently completed a new study comparing some of various wrist worn monitors. Click here to see the press release and video.

Lab Testing of Latest Consumer Monitors

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