Core2017: A. Montoye

Study 1: Sleep quantity and quality is important for health and well-being. Many individuals rely on activity trackers to track sleep, but how well do they work? We will investigate the accuracy of several activity trackers’ predicted sleep quantity and quality by having subjects sleep overnight in a sleep lab while having their sleep measured using EEG and predicted using several popular activity tracking devices (e.g., Fitbit, Misfit, etc.). This study will help determine if activity trackers are a useful tool for sleep tracking and which brands have the highest accuracy.

Study 2: Learning about people’s diets is very difficult because individuals must self-report the types and quantities of foods and beverages consumed. Recently a device called the “Smart Plate” (featured on Shark Tank) was developed as the world’s first objective diet measurement tool. If accurate, it could change the way researchers and dietitians monitor diet and help individuals adopt healthier dietary behaviors. This study will determine the validity and reliability of the Smart Plate for measurement of a variety of foods.

Study 3: It is well-documented that our exercise and sedentary behaviors affect health. However, the impact of our daily activity patterns is less understood, partly because it is difficult to accurately measure daily patterns. This study will compare the activity patterns (when people are active, inactive, sleeping, etc.) recorded from four activity monitoring devices worn on the wrists, hip, and thigh.

Study 4: Resistance training has many known health benefits, but until recently there was no way to objectively measure resistance training. Recently several activity tracking devices have been developed to assess resistance training, but their accuracy is unknown. This study will evaluate accuracy of two different activity trackers for assessing the types of exercise, sets, and reps performed during a resistance training workout.