ReviewReview of physical activity measurement using accelerometers in older adults: Considerations for research design and conduct
Section snippets
Physical activity measurement
Physical activity is often assessed using self-report measures. These measures are easy to administer and can provide information on the types of activities performed, but may not capture activity patterns throughout the day (Davis and Fox, 2007). Some measures also include calculations to estimate energy expenditure based on the duration and frequency of reported activity participation (Dipietro et al., 1993, Stewart et al., 2001). However, there are some disadvantages to using self-report
Choosing an accelerometer
Table 3 lists some general considerations for choosing an accelerometer for use in studies with older adults. Mathie et al. (2004) state that there are three types of monitoring that researchers may be interested in which affects the choice of monitor: clinical assessment (such as a one-time assessment of a participant in their home environment), event monitoring (such as fall events), and longitudinal monitoring of general or specific movements. In addition, monitors like the Actiwatch-Score
Summary
The use of accelerometers in physical activity and older adult research has grown substantially in recent years. This article sought to provide a guide to the body of literature outlining use of these devices and update information on the recent technological advances that affect PA measurement. Careful considerations for design and conduct of accelerometer research will enhance the quality and comparability of future research studies.
Conflict of interest
The author reports no financial conflicts with any of the companies listed in this manuscript.
Acknowledgments
Dr. Murphy is a currently the recipient of Academic Award K01HD045293 from the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research. I thank James Strasburg, Janice Chen, and Jessica Koliba for their assistance with gathering information on different monitors and Angela Lyden for reading earlier drafts of this article.
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