Estimation of energy expenditure in a work environment: Comparison of accelerometry and oxygen consumption/heart rate regression

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare estimation of energy expenditure (EE) in working environments, either from accelerometry or from an individual oxygen consumption/heart rate ([Vdot]O₂/HR) regression curve. The study participants were 46 volunteer workers aged 27±6 years old. A significant correlation between EE predicted by the [Vdot]O₂/HR curve and the accelerometer was observed (r=0.78, p <0.01). However, more disparities were observed between the two methods when the mean job intensity was not within 16% and 23% higher than resting HR. The accelerometer overestimated by a mean of 34.4% the prediction by [Vdot]O₂/HR regression if the intensity of the task was lower than a total of 1000 kcal/shift and underestimated the prediction by a mean of –24.9% if EE estimation of the work shift was higher than a total of 1500 kcal/shift. Despite a high correlation between both methods in the whole group, EE evaluated by accelerometry does not correspond to EE predicted by the [Vdot]O₂/HR regression curves when evaluated individually.

Keywords:

• indirect measurement
• work field
• accelerometer
• energy expenditure
• HR monitoring

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant from the Institut de recherche en santé et sécurité au travail du Québec. The authors would like to thank the study participants for their essential contribution.