Validation of the Fitbit Zip and Fitbit Flex with pregnant women in free-living conditions

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is a part of a healthy pregnancy. To date, no consumer-based activity monitors have been validated with this population. The aim of this study was to validate the Fitbit Zip and Fitbit Flex monitors in free-living conditions with pregnant women using the ActiGraph GT3X as the ?gold standard?. We compared the accuracy of the Fitbit Zip and Fitbit Flex devices in measuring steps, sedentary time and time spent in different activity intensities. Sixteen women in their third trimester of pregnancy wore the ActiGraph GT3X (hip) plus one Fibit Zip (hip) and one Fitbit Flex (wrist) during seven consecutive days. The validity of Fitbit Zip and Fitbit Flex is good, depending on measured parameters. Fitbit Zip is accurate to measure steps whereas Fitbit Flex is precise for MVPA. When choosing between Fitbit Zip and Fitbit Flex monitors, pregnant women should take into account their preferred PA and the parameters they want to measure..

KEYWORDS:

• Validation
• Fitbit
• ActiGraph
• physical activity
• pregnancy

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge all the participants of the study and obstetrical care clinics that helped us in the recruitment of pregnant women, as well as the Groupe interdisciplinaire de recherche appliquée en santé that contributed financially to the purchase of the Fitbit monitors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.