How Accurate Are Activity Trackers? EE Data From Omron, Fitbit, Jawbone & Other Devices Reveals 10% Error & More
Even though the study doesn't provide a straight-forward answer to the question "Which is the best activity tracker?", it is still revealing. I hope you don't rely on the data from your activity tracker as a basis to decide how much you can, should or may eat on a daily basis. Why? Well, the first and most important result of a recent study from the Human Performance Laboratory at the Ball State University is that "consumer-based PA [physical activity] monitors should be used cautiously for estimating EE [energy expenditure]" (Nelson. 2016) - and this goes for the data from all the devices that were tested by Nelson et al.: The BodyMedia FIT and the NikeFuel armband, the DirectLife monitor, the Omron HJ-720IT , the Fitbit One , the Fitbit Zip , the Fitbit Flex , the Jawbone UP24 , the Basis B1 Band Monitor and the ActiGraph . Don't tell me you use an activity tracker, but don't periodize your training! 30% More on the Big Three: Squa