Measuring posture and motion using the thigh- and pocket-worn Fibion device in laboratory and free-living settings
Start Date
August 2024
End Date
August 2024
Location
ALT 207
Abstract
Background: To better understand the health impacts of time spent in different postures and intensities, there is a need for their accurate measurement. Inclinometer-based accelerometers, most often worn on the front of the thigh, have the potential to classify activity postures into periods of sitting, standing and walking. Purpose: To determine the validity and reliability of a new device (Fibion) for classifying posture, in a laboratory and free-living setting, compared to an established device (activPAL). Methods: 21 adult participants (11 male; age 40.1±16.1 years) wore Fibion (both thighs and front pants/shorts pockets), and activPAL (one thigh) devices and performed 12 activities for 2 minutes each in a laboratory setting. Participants then wore the devices for three days while doing their normal activities (free-living). Laboratory activity postural output from all devices was compared to direct observation (DO). Three-day free-living outputs from the Fibion devices was compared to each other and the activPAL device. Results: In the laboratory, the Fibion thigh had an overall accuracy of 88.6%, with high accuracy (93%–100%) for detecting lying, sitting, and walking, but lower accuracy (9.5-87.5%) for standing, reclined sitting, sweeping, cycling, and rowing. The Fibion pocket and activPAL had overall accuracy of 79.1%, and 78.0%, respectively. Free-living comparability of daily output from the Fibion devices worn on the right and left (legs and pockets) demonstrated excellent intermonitor reliability, with no differences in any postures.Conclusion: The Fibion monitor, when worn on the thigh, shows promise as a tool for measuring sedentary and nonsedentary waking postures.
Measuring posture and motion using the thigh- and pocket-worn Fibion device in laboratory and free-living settings
ALT 207
Background: To better understand the health impacts of time spent in different postures and intensities, there is a need for their accurate measurement. Inclinometer-based accelerometers, most often worn on the front of the thigh, have the potential to classify activity postures into periods of sitting, standing and walking. Purpose: To determine the validity and reliability of a new device (Fibion) for classifying posture, in a laboratory and free-living setting, compared to an established device (activPAL). Methods: 21 adult participants (11 male; age 40.1±16.1 years) wore Fibion (both thighs and front pants/shorts pockets), and activPAL (one thigh) devices and performed 12 activities for 2 minutes each in a laboratory setting. Participants then wore the devices for three days while doing their normal activities (free-living). Laboratory activity postural output from all devices was compared to direct observation (DO). Three-day free-living outputs from the Fibion devices was compared to each other and the activPAL device. Results: In the laboratory, the Fibion thigh had an overall accuracy of 88.6%, with high accuracy (93%–100%) for detecting lying, sitting, and walking, but lower accuracy (9.5-87.5%) for standing, reclined sitting, sweeping, cycling, and rowing. The Fibion pocket and activPAL had overall accuracy of 79.1%, and 78.0%, respectively. Free-living comparability of daily output from the Fibion devices worn on the right and left (legs and pockets) demonstrated excellent intermonitor reliability, with no differences in any postures.Conclusion: The Fibion monitor, when worn on the thigh, shows promise as a tool for measuring sedentary and nonsedentary waking postures.
