Physical activity monitor for recording energy expenditure in pregnancy

Abstract

Objective. To determine whether the energy expenditure recorded with the physical activity monitor SenseWear™ Pro2 Armband differs from that recorded with indirect calorimetry. Design. Cross-sectional comparison of measures of energy expenditure. Setting. A convenient sample recruited from a randomized controlled trial. Population. Twenty-nine pregnant women (24-43years old). Methods. Energy expenditure was recorded with SenseWear™ Pro 2 Armband and a portable oxygen analyzer for 90minutes while carrying out a variety of activities of different intensities. Main Outcome Measures. Energy expenditure recorded with the physical activity monitor SenseWear™ Pro2 Armband. Results. Comparing energy expenditure during free-living activities, the mean differences and limits of agreements from Bland-Altman plots was -136±343kJ, giving an underestimation of energy expenditure by 9%. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.85 (95% confidence interval 0.71-0.93; p<0.001), giving 85% of the variance explained by differences among individuals. Conclusions. SenseWear™ Pro2 Armband is a valid measure of energy expenditure during pregnancy. © 2011 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.