Dataset of consumer-based activity trackers as a tool for physical activity monitoring in epidemiological studies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) data were downloaded from 113 participants who owned a Garmin or Fitbit activity tracker in 2019 and 2020. Upon participant authorization, data were automatically downloaded from the Garmin and Fitbit cloud storages. The mSpider tool, a solution for automatic and continuous data extraction from activity tracker providers, were used to download participant data. Available data are daily averages by year, as well as monthly averages between 2019 and 2020, for steps, activity energy expenditure (AEE), total energy expenditure (TEE), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light PA (LPA), moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), and sedentary time. In addition, March 2020 was divided in two, giving the daily average before and after the Norwegian COVID-19 lockdown date. Raw daily values for these variables are also included in a separate file. In addition, daily values for non-wear time are also include as raw data.In a previous study, differences between months, i.e., comparing 2019 with 2020 for months between March to December, were analysed for steps, MVPA, and AEE [1]. Further insights may be achieved by exploring other variables. This includes: (1) monthly averages for TEE, LPA, MPA, VPA, and sedentary time, (2) yearly averages (2019 and 2020) for steps, MVPA, TEE, AEE, LPA, MPA, VPA, and sedentary time (3) monthly average for steps, MVPA, TEE, AEE, LPA, MPA, VPA, and sedentary time for January, February, and March 2019, as well as March 2020. Additional analysis can also be conducted on the raw data.

Keywords

• Energy expenditure
• Steps
• Smart watch
• Fitness tracker
• Public health
• Lockdown