Comparison of Free-Living and Laboratory Activity Outcomes from ActiGraph Accelerometers Worn on the Dominant and Non-Dominant Wrists

Abstract

This study evaluated agreement in activity outcomes from ActiGraph accelerometers worn on both wrists in a laboratory and free-living setting. Part 1: Thirty-seven participants (25.5 ± 10.5 years) completed laboratory activities. Part 2: Thirty-nine participants (28.5 ± 9.8 years) wore accelerometers for 7 days. Outcomes included average acceleration and the intensity gradient (IG). Part 1: Average acceleration was equivalent at the group level between devices across all activity intensities. Wide limits of agreement ranging from 20.6% lower to 34.9% higher for the dominant wrist across all activities were observed. Part 2: The IG was equivalent between wrist locations, but average acceleration was approximately 8.5% higher when measured from the dominant wrist. Adjusting average acceleration values by −8.5% from the dominant wrist resulted in average acceleration falling within a strict 5% equivalence zone. Reducing average acceleration values from the dominant wrist by 8.5% results in equivalent outcomes between wrists during free-living.