The use of publicly available physical activity data: A pilot study into the reliability of the data flow from GPS portable fitness devices to the Internet

Epidemiological studies investigating relationships between health and physical activity commonly use self-reports and questionnaires to acquire information. The reliability and validity of much of this subjective data has been questioned. The availability and affordability of a range of portable fitness devices (PFD), together with the widespread use of smartphones, could make it much easier to acquire objective information about people’s health and physical activity. Users of such devices are easily able to upload their health and physical activity data to the Internet where it can be publicly visible and accessible to third parties. The principle aim of this pilot study was to investigate the reliability of the flow of data from a range of global positioning system (GPS) enabled PFD to the Internet. Fifteen participants (ten males and five females) each undertook four trials of two laps around a clearly defined non-linear track (approximately 2350 m per lap) at a self-determined pace. Participants used a wrist-worn GPS enabled fitness device to record distance, time, and elevation gain and loss. On completion of the activity, the data was uploaded to a website on the Internet and the activity file shared with the researcher. Relevant data was retrieved at three points; from the file recorded by the device; from the Garmin Connect website; and from a related data file downloaded from the Internet. There was no significant difference between the distance (p = 0.98) and time (p = 0.99) at any of the three download points where the data could be accessed. However recordings of elevation gain were significantly different when compared across the three data access points p = 0.00. A similar trend was observed with elevation loss. Forty of the trials were carried out with devices recording data points at 1Hz intervals. The remaining 20 trials used Garmin’s system of “Smart Recording”. The difference between these recording modes was not significant (p = 0.26). It can be concluded from this study that publicly available data from GPS enabled PFDs (GPFD) reliably report the distance and time recorded on the device, but not the elevation gain and loss. The main limitations of this study are the sample size, availability of suitable devices, and access to the precise manipulations imposed within the flow of the data. Future research with a larger sample size and a wider range of device brands will help to determine how such devices may be used for epidemiological, and health and sport science research.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Health Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Eastern Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Shambrook, Philip

• New Zealand
• physical activity data
• GPS portable fitness devices
• data flow
• Internet
• reliability
• Garmin
• trials

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6395

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10652/6395