Effects of Age and Body Mass Index on Accuracy of Simple Moderate Vigorous Physical Activity Monitor Under Controlled Condition

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the validity and reliability of the simple moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) monitor (NL-1000; NEWLIFESTYLES, MO) during treadmill walking and running.Methods: A total of 70 men and women, between 22 to 76 years of age, participated in the present investigation. Subjects continuously wore the NL-1000 device on their waist. The NL-1000 calculated the time spent in MVPA corresponding to › 3 METs. All subjects walked at speeds of 40 to 115 m.min-1 and ran at a speed of 130 m.min-1 on a motor driven treadmill for four minutes. Furthermore, eight of all subjects performed a second experiment in order to assess the reliability of NL-1000.Results: The MVPA measured by the NL-1000 (MVPAped) significantly increased at a walking at the speed of faster than 85m.min-1 (p ‹ 0.05). Of the actual exercise time, MVPAped corresponded to › 90% of the actual exercise time in › 85 m.min-1 or faster speed. A multiple regression analysis showed that gender, body mass index, and age did not significantly affect the accuracy of MVPAped, and the treadmill speed came out significant parameter of MVPAped. The MVPAped did not differ significantly within the first and second experiment, furthermore, the results correlated significantly (r = 0.956, p ‹ 0.001).Conclusion: These results indicate that simple MVPA monitor would be a valid instrument to during the treadmill walking and running.