<p>Physical activity (PA) is likely to constitute an important aspect of health-related behaviour in growing children. However, the knowledge on levels and patterns of PA in children is limited, due to the difficulty of precisely measuring this complex behaviour in normal daily living. Information on variables that significantly contributes to the variability in PA patterns is warranted as it may inform strategies for promoting physically active lifestyles in school-age youth. The overall purpose of the present studies was to increase the knowledge about the use of accelerometry when assessing PA in children, and examine sources of variability in objectively assessed PA behaviour in children. The study samples included 1954 nine- and 15-year-old children from four geographical locations in Europe (Norway, Denmark, Estonia and Portugal), and additionally 16 Swedish seven-year-old boys and girls. PA was assessed by the MTI accelerometer during free-living conditions, including both weekdays and weekend days. A part of the PA assessment was conducted using different time sampling intervals (epochs). Predictions of estimates of daily energy expenditure from accelerometer output were calculated using previously published equations. Potential correlates of PA behaviour were assessed by self-report. The main findings were; a) the epoch setting had a significant effect when interpreting time spent at higher intensities of PA in young children, b) predicted energy expenditure differed substantially between equations, c) between- and within-day differences in overall levels of PA, time spent at moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity and time spent sedentary differed between age, gender and geographical location, d) outdoor play and sports participation were differentially associated with objectively measured PA in 9- and 15-year-old children. It is concluded that the sporadic nature of children’s physical activity require very short epoch settings for detecting high intensity PA, and that different published equations for estimations of daily energy expenditure cannot be used interchangeably. The interpretations of average energy expenditure from available equations should be made with caution. Based on a large sample of children of different ages, weekend days and leisure time during weekdays seem appropriate targets when promoting PA in order to increase the proportion of children achieving current recommendations on health enhancing PA. Further, significant correlates of PA behaviour dependent on age group are presented, which should be considered when planning interventions for promoting PA in school-age youth.</p>

Physical activity (PA) is likely to constitute an important aspect of health-related behaviour in growing children. However, the knowledge on levels and patterns of PA in children is limited, due to the difficulty of precisely measuring this complex behaviour in normal daily living. Information on variables that significantly contributes to the variability in PA patterns is warranted as it may inform strategies for promoting physically active lifestyles in school-age youth. The overall purpose of the present studies was to increase the knowledge about the use of accelerometry when assessing PA in children, and examine sources of variability in objectively assessed PA behaviour in children. The study samples included 1954 nine- and 15-year-old children from four geographical locations in Europe (Norway, Denmark, Estonia and Portugal), and additionally 16 Swedish seven-year-old boys and girls. PA was assessed by the MTI accelerometer during free-living conditions, including both weekdays and weekend days. A part of the PA assessment was conducted using different time sampling intervals (epochs). Predictions of estimates of daily energy expenditure from accelerometer output were calculated using previously published equations. Potential correlates of PA behaviour were assessed by self-report. The main findings were; a) the epoch setting had a significant effect when interpreting time spent at higher intensities of PA in young children, b) predicted energy expenditure differed substantially between equations, c) between- and within-day differences in overall levels of PA, time spent at moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity and time spent sedentary differed between age, gender and geographical location, d) outdoor play and sports participation were differentially associated with objectively measured PA in 9- and 15-year-old children. It is concluded that the sporadic nature of children’s physical activity require very short epoch settings for detecting high intensity PA, and that different published equations for estimations of daily energy expenditure cannot be used interchangeably. The interpretations of average energy expenditure from available equations should be made with caution. Based on a large sample of children of different ages, weekend days and leisure time during weekdays seem appropriate targets when promoting PA in order to increase the proportion of children achieving current recommendations on health enhancing PA. Further, significant correlates of PA behaviour dependent on age group are presented, which should be considered when planning interventions for promoting PA in school-age youth.

Aim: To determine the criterion validity of the Activ8a and VitaMoveb activity monitors (AM) in measuring body postures and movements (P&M) in adults with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) with different gross motor functional abilities in a simulated free-living environment. Methods: In this observational validation study participants were included between March and June 2016. Participants were divided into two groups: ambulatory and non-ambulatory adults (wheelchair users). For ambulatory adults, three Activ8 monitors (attached to the frontal thigh, lateral thigh, and in the pant pocket) and three synchronized VitaMove monitors (attached to the chest and each leg) were worn while participants were video recorded when performing a standardized activity protocol. For non-ambulatory adults, two synchronized Activ8 monitors (attached to the dominant wrist and wheelchair wheel) and three VitaMove monitors (attached to the chest and each wrist) were worn while participants were video recorded when performing a standardized wheelchair protocol. A native Dutch student provided standardized instructions while the author video recorded participants. Activities were performed in a movement laboratory and simulated free-living environment. Output data of the Activ8 and the VitaMove monitors were compared with video observation as a criterion measure. Absolute and relative time differences were calculated for each detected body P&M and for total measurement time for each participant. The following body P&M categories were detected: sitting, standing, walking, running, cycling, wheelchair driving, active upper body (stable wheelchair), and assisted driving. Agreement between the Activ8 and VitaMove during activity measurement was determined for each activity using Spearman Rho correlation coefficients, which were then compared with Meng’s test. Adapted Bland-Altman plots were completed to determine agreement at an individual level and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests were calculated to evaluate differences between detected P&M time across measures. Relative time differences of <10% between measures were indicative of acceptable validity. Results: Fifteen adults with spastic CP [10 men; mean(SD) age, 35.7(13) years; Gross Motor Function Classification System distribution: level I (n=6), level II (n=5), level III (n=3), level IV (n=1)] were included. For ambulatory adults (n=14), criterion validity of the Activ8 at the lateral thigh location during basic and complex daily life activities was moderate to good (average relative time differences: 0.25% for sitting, 4.69% for standing, 2.46% for walking, 3.19% for cycling, and 1.96% for light-to-moderate upright activity), except for running (34.6% average difference) The criterion validity of the VitaMove was acceptable, with the exception of standing and running (average relative time differences: 1.69% for sitting, 12.3% for standing, 4.84% for walking, 9.70% for cycling, 23.8% for running, and 0.91% for light-to-moderate upright activity). Spearman Rho correlation coefficients were significantly greater between video/lateral thigh Activ8 than video/frontal thigh Activ8 and video/pant pocket Activ8 for P&M categories sitting, basic standing, basic walking, and light-to-moderate upright activity (p<0.01 for all). Moreover, Spearman Rho correlation coefficients were significantly greater between video/Activ8 than video/VitaMove for basic walking and light-to-moderate upright activity P&M categories (p<0.01). In non-ambulatory, wheelchair users (n=3), the Wheelchair Activ8 demonstrated greater validity than the VitaMove monitor, when compared to video observation, for the detection of sedentary upper body and active upper body behaviours. Conclusion: The Activ8, positioned on the lateral thigh, demonstrates adequate validity as a tool for monitoring of body P&M during free-living activities in ambulatory adults with spastic CP. The Activ8 demonstrated superior validity as a direct measure of body P&M compared to the VitaMove AM. The sample size of non-ambulatory adults was small (n=3) and allowed for descriptive and exploratory analysis only; therefore, validity of the Wheelchair Activ8 for has to be further examined in a larger number of participants. Clinical relevance: The Activ8 and Wheelchair Activ8 shows promise as a clinical measurement tool of physical behaviour for adults with CP across GMFCS levels I-IV. The Activ8 could be used in the future development of health promotion initiatives, due to the features of goal setting and user feedback, while providing researchers greater insight in activity data than consumer-grade AMs. Suppliers: a. Activ8, trademark of Remedy Distribution Ltd. (original equipment manufacturer is 2M Engineering Ltd.), John F Kennedylaan 3, 5555XC, Valkenswaard, The Netherlands b. VitaMove, 2M Engineering Ltd., John F Kennedylaan 3, 5555XC, Valkenswaard, The Netherlands / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

abstract: Interest in health and wellness has significantly increased in today's society. Living a healthy and active lifestyle is suggested to promote overall physical and psychological well-being. This study explored the effects of wearing a Fitbit Zip activity monitor and the impact of expressing mindfulness on levels of physical activity. It was predicted that expressing mindfulness, as measured by the use of present-tense language during the daily emotional writing task, would moderate the relationship between wearing a Fitbit Zip activity monitor and change in physical activity. Specifically, it was hypothesized daily monitoring would only lead to increased activity among those higher in mindful language. Over the course of five days, participants were asked to wear a Fitbit Zip and to complete a daily questionnaire and writing task at the end of each evening. On the last day of the study, participants completed a follow-up assessment, which suggested that the combination of wearing a Fitbit Zip activity monitor and expressing more mindfulness throughout the week increased levels of physical activity. An important issue for future research is to conduct this study for a longer period of time in order to get more variability in the data. However, despite the limitations of the design, these findings suggest that activity monitoring may be a promising way to promote healthy lifestyle change. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Psychology 2014

No description available.

The overall aim of this thesis was to assess measurement properties of methods suitable for screening or monitoring of physical capacity and physical activity in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to explore factors associated with physical activity levels. Methods: Four observational studies were conducted. Participants in studies I-III (sample sizes) (n=49, n=15, n=73) were recruited from specialist clinics, and in study IV from a population-based cohort (COPD n=470 and Non-COPD n=659). Psychometric properties of methods assessing physical capacity (study I) and physical activity (study II) were investigated in laboratory settings. Daily physical activity and clinical characteristics were assessed with objective methods (study III) and with subjective methods (study IV). Results: Physical capacity as measured by walking speed during a 30-metre walk test displayed high test-retest correlations (ICC&gt;0.87) and small measurement error. The accuracy for step count and body positions differed between activity monitors and direct observations. In study III 92% of subjects had an activity level below what is recommended in guidelines. Forty five percent of subjects’ activity could be accounted for by clinical characteristics with lung function (22.5%), walking speed (10.1%), quadriceps strength (7.0%) and fat-free mass index (3.0%) being significant predictors. In study IV, low physical activity was significantly more prevalent in COPD subjects from GOLD grade ≥II than among Non-COPD subjects (22.4 vs. 14.6%, p = 0.016). The strongest factors associated with low activity in COPD subjects were a history of heart disease, OR (CI 95%) 2.11 (1.10-4.08) and fatigue, OR 2.33 (1.31-4.13) while obesity was the only significant factor in Non-COPD subjects, OR 2.26 (1.17-4.35). Conclusion: The 30 meter walk test and activity monitors are useful when assessing physical capacity and physical activity, respectively in patients with COPD. Impaired physical activity in severe COPD is related to low lung function, low walking speed, low muscle strength and altered body composition, whereas comorbidities and fatigue are linked to insufficient physical activity in patients with moderately severe COPD.

Sleep is very important for health and academic performance. The amount of sleep is variable and depends among other things, on the age of the individual. Today there are many varieties of motion sensors that can be used in healthcare and clinical research for sleep registration, such as Actigraph GT9X Link and Actiwatch 2. The purpose of this study was to compare these two sensors, Actigraph and Actiwatch, for sleep registration by analyzing different sleep variables. The more precise sensor of the two will be used in the Energymetabolic laboratory in the case of survey or research. The method involved participants wearing both sensors for two nights and one day and trying to live as normal as possible. A sleep diary was used to complete the registrations, with related questions about sleep. There were 17 healthy participants between the ages 21 and 31. The results showed that the registrations from both sensors have varying spread and deviations. Overall the results were similar between the sensors and the sleep diary, and it was shown that there is no significant difference between the sensors. However, Actigraph deviated on most occasions from the diary. The Energymetabolic laboratory have access to many Actigraph GT9X Link sensors. This means that an evaluation has to be made to decide whether the cost of replacing the Actigraph GT9X Link sensors with Actiwatch 2 is worth it for the small improvement in precision.

Fysisk aktivitet är en viktig del i alla människors liv och på senare år har flera tekniker utvecklats för att mäta just denna parameter. Detta har bidragit till en stor utveckling bland flertalet olika portabla tekniker, ofta i form av aktivitetsmätare, för att underlätta mätningar för alla inblandade. I samarbete med Energimetaboliska Laboratoriet (EML) på Akademiska sjukhuset i Uppsala studeras i denna studie kliniska aktivitetsmätare som används för monitorering av barn och unga vuxna. Syftet med studien är att få en djupare förståelse för de olika aktivitetsmätarnas modeller och fabrikat samt hur placeringar av dessa förhåller sig till varandra. Den parameter som jämfördes i studien var energiförbrukning som presenteras i kilokalorier (kcal). Jämförelsen gjordes mellan tre olika sorters aktivitetsmätare: ActiGraph GT9X Link som placerades runt handled, ActiGraph wGT3X-BT som placerades runt ankel samt Philips ActiCal som placerades runt både handled och ankel.Aktivitetsmätarna i denna studie mäter rörelse genom inbyggda accelerometrar. Accelerometrarna innehåller rörliga komponenter som förflyttas beroende på hur den som bär aktivitetsmätarna rör sig. Rörelserna omvandlas sedan till signaler som utlöser så kallade ”counts”. Counts är en storhet vars syfte är att registrera verkliga rörelser. För att erhålla counts så måste rörelsen antingen överstiga ett förutbestämt tröskelvärde eller låta de rörliga komponenterna genomföra en full cykel, exempelvis röra sig upp och sedan ned. Counts beräknas senare till bärarens energiförbrukning genom olika typer av algoritmer.I den empiriska studie som gjordes medverkade 13 deltagare som fick bära aktivitetsmätarna under ett helt dygn med start vid midnatt. Deltagarnas längd, vikt och ålder samlades in för att programmera aktivitetsmätarna enligt leverantörernas instruktioner. Extrahering av data skedde i tillverkarnas egna program ActiLife v6 13.1 och ActiCal v3.0 där beräkning av energiförbrukning skedde. När data var insamlad sammanställdes det i Microsoft Excel v16.72 för att enklare visualisera skillnader i energiförbrukning mellan deltagarna. Insamlade data jämfördes sedan statistiskt för att dra slutsatser om eventuella skillnader. Inga referensvärden användes i studien då aktivitetsmätarna endast jämfördes mot varandra.Resultaten visade tydliga skillnader mellan både fabrikat och placering beroende på vilka modeller som jämfördes. En relativt stor skillnad i energiförbrukning uppmättes mellan ActiGraph GT9X Link och wGT3X-BT där aktivitetsmätaren som placerades runt handleden uppmätte högre energiförbrukning för samtliga deltagare. En liknande skillnad uppmättes även vid jämförelse av ActiGraph GT9X Link och Phillips ActiCal placerad runt handled. Ingen statistisk skillnad kunde påvisas mellan ActiGraph wGT3X-BT och ActiCal, när de placerades runt ankeln. De båda placeringarna av ActiCal påvisade att dess tolkning av energiförbrukning ej skiljer sig åt särskilt mycket. / Background:Physical activity is a big part of everyone’s life and health. In recent years, the development of methods to monitor physical activity has increased drastically. Common parameters to measure are heart rate and respiratory rate but also physical movement. This is commonly measured with a wristwatch. Furthermore, there are several models made for clinical use, but the issue is that it is unknown how these activity monitors compare to each other. Aim:The aim of this study is to obtain a better understanding of the activity monitors ActiGraph GT9X Link, wGT3X-BT and Philips ActiCal for clinical use and how they compare to each other in regard to measuring energy expenditure. It also aims to investigate differences in monitor placement and how that affects the outcome. Method:An empirical study was made with 13 participants wearing the ActiGraph GT9X Link on the wrist, wGT3X-BT on the ankle and the Philips ActiCal on both places during a 24-hour period. The data collected was then analyzed to compare the monitors. Result:Differences were found between the two ActiGraph monitors as well as the ActiCal and ActiGraph GT9X Link placed on the wrist. The ActiGraph GT9X Link had overall the highest rate of energy expenditure. Furthermore, the ActiCal had the most similar results when comparing placement. Conclusion:The conclusion was that the ActiGraph GT9X Link is the most sensitive monitor and the ActiCal most reliable regarding placement.

This work deals with problems of EEG biofeedback and possibilities of its use in therapy. The method of EEG biofeedback helps patients to achieve the state of relaxation. It is a noninvasive treatment modality. The paper also discussed the requirements for each component unit. The main point of a design and construction of Alpha activity monitor, a device implementing EEG biofeedback focused on sensing electrical activity of the brain, specifically alpha waves. Alpha activity is specific and their parameters are taken into account when selecting components and construction equipment. Custom feedback is then for the appearance of alpha activity mediated by the headphones in acoustic form. The work also includes design of electrical circuits and electrical diagram of the overall apparatus including a list of used parts. Electrical diagrams are formed in the EAGLE 6.1.0.