Effect of ActiGraph GT3X+ Position and Algorithm Choice on Step Count Accuracy in Older Adults.

Abstract: Accelerometer step count accuracy may be affected by gait speed, device positioning, and analysis algorithm selection. We assessed ActiGraph GT3X+ step count accuracy related to device placement and analysis algorithm in older adults with walking aids (n = 13) and without walking aids (n = 22). Participants (81.5 ± 5.0 years of age) completed a timed 100m walk wearing five GT3X+ monitors (hips, ankles, lumbar spine). Individuals with walking aids had slower gait speeds (0.8 ± 0.20 m/s versus 1.2 ± 0.20 m/s without walking aids, p < 0.001). Intra-class correlation coefficient values for observed versus monitored steps were highest when ankle placement and the low frequency extension (LFE) algorithm were used (left ankle ICC = 0.989, right ankle ICC = 0.998). Using the GT3X+ ankle placement and analyzing data with the LFE algorithm resulted in the most accurate step counts in older adults.