Variability and reliability of the Axivity AX6 accelerometer in technical and human motion conditions

Echevarría-Polo, Marcos (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Marín, Pedro J. ; Pueyo, Esther (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Ramos Maqueda, Javier (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Garatachea, Nuria (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: This study aimed to evaluate the intra- and inter-instrument variability and reliability of the Axivity AX6 accelerometer under controlled technical conditions and human motion scenarios. In the first experiment, 12 accelerometers were affixed to a vibration platform and tested at four frequencies (2.2, 3.2, 6.5, and 9.4 Hz) along three axes to assess frequency- and axis-dependent variability. In the second experiment, four AX6 accelerometers were simultaneously placed on a subject’s wrist and tested under four human motion conditions (walking at 4 km·h−1 and 6 km·h−1 and running at 8 km·h−1 and 10 km·h−1). Results demonstrated low intra- and inter-instrument variability (CVintra: 3.3–4.5%; CVinter: 6.3–7.7%) with high reliability (ICC = 0.98). Similar results were observed in human motion conditions (CVintra: 5.3–8.8%; CVinter: 7.1–10.4%), with ICC values of 0.98 for combined devices, and 0.99 for each device individually. Despite statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between devices in human motion all conditions, the variations remained below the minimal clinically significant difference threshold. These findings indicate that under technical conditions on a vibrating platform, and within the range of typical human accelerations, the Axivity AX6 is a reliable tool for measuring accelerations representative of physical activity. However, further research is necessary to validate its performance under free-living conditions.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/s25082480

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Sensors 25, 8 (2025), 2480 [11 pp.]
ISSN: 1424-8220

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/T39-23R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2022-140556OB-I00
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EUR/MICINN/TED2021-130459B-I00

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Educación Física y Depor. (Dpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería)
Área (Departamento): Area Medicina (Dpto. Medicina, Psiqu. y Derm.)
Área (Departamento): Área Teoría Señal y Comunicac. (Dpto. Ingeniería Electrón.Com.)