Estimating absolute and relative physical activity intensity across age via accelerometry in adults

This study examined the predictive validity of accelerometers (ACC) to estimate physical activity intensity (PAI) across age and differences in intensity predictions when expressed in relative and absolute PAI terms. Ninety adults categorized into 3 age groups (20-29, 40-49, and 60-69 yr) completed...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of aging and physical activity 2010-04, Vol.18 (2), p.158-170
Main Authors: Miller, Nora E, Strath, Scott J, Swartz, Ann M, Cashin, Susan E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acceleration
Actigraphy - instrumentation
Adult
Age
Age differences
Age Factors
Aged
Calibration
Calorimetry, Indirect
Consumption
Exercise
Exercise Test
Female
Humans
Linear Models
Male
Middle Aged
Oxygen
Oxygen Consumption - physiology
Physical activity
Physical Exertion - physiology
Predictive validity
Predictive Value of Tests
Running - physiology
Walking - physiology
Young Adult
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Summary:This study examined the predictive validity of accelerometers (ACC) to estimate physical activity intensity (PAI) across age and differences in intensity predictions when expressed in relative and absolute PAI terms. Ninety adults categorized into 3 age groups (20-29, 40-49, and 60-69 yr) completed a treadmill calibration study with simultaneous ACC (7164 Actigraph) and oxygen-consumption assessment. Results revealed strong linear relations between ACC output and measured PAI (R2 = .62-.89) across age and similar ACC cut-point ranges across age delineating absolute PAI ranges compared with previous findings. Comparing measured metabolic equivalents (METs) with estimated METs derived from previously published regression equations revealed that age did not affect predictive validity of ACC estimates of absolute PAI. Comparing ACC output expressed in relative vs. absolute terms across age revealed substantial differences in PAI ACC count ranges. Further work is warranted to increase the applicability ofACC use relative to PAI differences associated with physiological changes with age.
ISSN:1063-8652
1543-267X
DOI:10.1123/japa.18.2.158