Agreement of Step-Based Metrics From ActiGraph and ActivPAL Accelerometers Worn Concurrently Among Older Adults

Our study evaluated the agreement of mean daily step counts, peak 1-min cadence, and peak 30-min cadence between the hip-worn ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer, using the normal filter (AG_N) and the low frequency extension (AG_LFE), and the thigh-worn activPAL3 micro (AP) accelerometer among older adults.

Nine-hundred and fifty-three older adults (≥65 years) were recruited to wear the ActiGraph device concurrently with the AP for 4-7 days beginning in 2016. Using the AP as the reference measure, device agreement for each step-based metric was assessed using mean differences (AG_N - AP and AG_LFE - AP), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and Pearson and concordance correlation coefficients.

For AG_N - AP, the mean differences and MAPE were: daily steps -1,851 steps/day and 27.2%, peak 1-min cadence -16.2 steps/min and 16.3%, and peak 30-min cadence -17.7 steps/min and 24.0%. Pearson coefficients were .94, .85, and .91 and concordance coefficients were .81, .65, and .73, respectively. For AG_LFE - AP, the mean differences and MAPE were: daily steps 4,968 steps/day and 72.7%, peak 1-min cadence -1.4 steps/min and 4.7%, and peak 30-min cadence 1.4 steps/min and 7.0%. Pearson coefficients were .91, .91, and .95 and concordance coefficients were .49, .91, and .94, respectively.

Compared with estimates from the AP, the AG_N underestimated daily step counts by approximately 1,800 steps/day, while the AG_LFE overestimated by approximately 5,000 steps/day. However, peak step cadence estimates generated from the AG_LFE and AP had high agreement (MAPE ≤ 7.0%). Additional convergent validation studies of step-based metrics from concurrently worn accelerometers are needed for improved understanding of between-device agreement.