<Originals>Evaluation of physical activity in children by use of accelerometers

概要

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Our objective was to establish a sensitive and reliable method of assessing physical activity. The authors designed a portable apparatus using two accelerometers that could detect body movement during physical activity by measuring vertical and horizontal gravitational acceleration forces. To evaluate the relationship between the output of the accelerometers and physical activity, a graded treadmill exercise test was given to 27 healthy Japanese children (18 boys and nine girls, age range 6-17 years), during which gas exchanges were also measured. We studied the relationships among oxygen uptake, heart rate, and output from the accelerometers of the apparatus, which was attached to the back of each child's waist belt. The time integrals of vertical acceleration vector, horizontal acceleration vector and mean vector of both were calculated. The ratio of vertical to horizontal vector integral was a good indication of the type of activity being performed (i.e., jogging or walking). There was a strong correlation between the mean vector integrals and oxygen uptake. The products of the mean vector integral and the ratio of both vectors also correlated with oxygen uptake. The intensity and the method of exercise were estimated by analysis of the output from the accelerometers. This apparatus therefore appears to be a useful tool for assessing physical activity in children.
近畿大学の論文