Normative wrist-worn accelerometer values for self-paced walking and running: a walk in the park

Abstract

This study aimed to a) determine whether wrist acceleration varies by accelerometer brand, wear location, and age for self-paced "slow", "normal" and "brisk" walking; b) develop normative acceleration values for self-paced walking and running for adults. One-hundred-and-three adults (40-79 years) completed self-paced "slow", "normal" and "brisk" walks, while wearing three accelerometers (GENEActiv, Axivity, ActiGraph) on each wrist. A sub-sample (n = 22) completed a self-paced run. Generalized estimating equations established differences by accelerometer brand, wrist, and age-group (walking only, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 years) for self-paced walking and running. Brand*wrist interactions showed ActiGraph dominant wrist values were ~10% lower than GENEActiv/Axivity values for walking and running, and non-dominant ActiGraph values were ~5% lower for running only (p < 0.001). Acceleration during brisk walking was lower in those aged 70-79 (p < 0.05). Normative acceleration values (non-dominant wrist, all brands; dominant wrist GENEActiv/Axivity) for slow and normal walking were 140 mg and 210 mg. Brisk walking, values were 350 mg in those aged 40-69 years, but 270 mg in those aged 70-79 years. Accelerations >600 mg approximated running. These values facilitate user-friendly interpretation of accelerometer-determined physical activity in large cohort and epidemiological datasets.