Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-28-2025
Identifier
DOI: 10.1186/s12966-025-01801-z; PMCID: PMC12305927
Abstract
Although moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is a widely used construct in physical activity (PA) research, the lack of standardized assessment methods- particularly with the growing use of consumer-grade wearable activity trackers- poses challenges for comparability. Consumer-grade devices tend to rely on heart rate (HR)-based estimation methods to classify PA intensity, which contrasts with traditional research-grade accelerometers that use count- or raw-acceleration metrics. Comparability issues are particularly salient across individuals with varying weight status. In this commentary, we discuss systematic discrepancies between HR-based (relative intensity) and acceleration-based (absolute intensity) classifications of MVPA among individuals with differing weight statuses. Using Fitbit data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, we illustrate how HR-based PA intensity classification may indicate higher MVPA in youth with greater adiposity despite lower step counts and light PA levels. We highlight implications for research design, public health surveillance, messaging, policy, and interventions. We also call for greater transparency, standardized methodologies, and integrative measurement approaches to ensure more accurate assessment of PA behavior.
Journal Title
The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity [electronic resource]
Volume
22
Issue
1
First Page
106
Last Page
106
MeSH Keywords
Humans; Heart Rate; Exercise; Fitness Trackers; Accelerometry; Adolescent; Body Weight; Wearable Electronic Devices; Male
PubMed ID
40721804
Keywords
Absolute intensity; Accelerometry; Adiposity; Fitness; Relative intensity; Wearable devices
Recommended Citation
Brown DMY, Wing D, Pfledderer CD, Stoepker P, Fairclough SJ, Carlson JA. Considerations in using heart rate-based physical activity estimates from consumer wearables in individuals with varying weight status. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2025;22(1):106. Published 2025 Jul 28. doi:10.1186/s12966-025-01801-z
Comments
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
Publisher's Link: https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-025-01801-z