Advances in electronic sensor technologies have led to the increased use of accelerometers for measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviours. Accelerometers overcome many of the inherent limitations of other measurement methods; for example, unlike self-reported instruments, accelerometers are free from random and systematic errors introduced by respondents and interviewers, cultural tradition, and language. However, accelerometers have their own set of limitations; for example, not all accelerometers are created equal and raw accelerometer data require significant data mining procedures in order to yield meaningful outcome variables. Therefore the overall purpose of this three study dissertation was to determine the impact accelerometer model has on the development of a comprehensive physical activity and sedentary behaviour profile and to design and apply novel profiling methods in an order to gain new insights into childrens physical activity.<p>
Study One
Purpose: To determine which of the three most commonly used accelerometer models has the best intra- and inter-instrument reliability using a mechanical laboratory setup. Secondly, to determine the effect acceleration and frequency have on these reliability measures. Methods: Three experiments were performed. In the first, five each of the Actical, Actigraph, and RT3 accelerometers were placed on a hydraulic shaker plate and simultaneously accelerated in the vertical plane at varying accelerations and frequencies. Six different conditions of varying intensity were used to produce a range of accelerometer counts. Reliability was calculated using standard deviation, standard error of the measurement, coefficient of variation, and intraclass correlation coefficients. In the second and third experiment, 39 Actical and 50 Actigraph accelerometers were put through the same six conditions. Results: Experiment One showed poor reliability in the RT3 (intra- and inter-instrument CV > 40%). Experiments Two and Three clearly indicated that the Actical (CVintra = 0.5%; CVinter = 5.4%) was more reliable than the Actigraph (CVintra = 3.2%; CVinter = 8.6%). Variability in the Actical was negatively related to the acceleration of the condition while no relationship was found between acceleration and reliability in the Actigraph. Variability in the Actigraph was negatively related to the frequency of the condition while no relationship was found between frequency and reliability in the Actical. Conclusion: Of the three accelerometer models measured in this study, the Actical had the best intra- and inter-instrument reliability. However, discrepant trends in the variability of Actical and Actigraph counts across accelerations and frequencies preclude the selection of a superior model. More work is needed to understand why accelerometers designed to measure the same thing, behave so differently.<p>
Study Two
The accurate measurement of habitual physical activity is fundamental to the study of the relationship between physical activity and health. However, many physical activity measurement techniques produce variables accurate to only the day level, such as total energy expenditure via self-report questionnaire, pedometer step counts or accelerometer measurements of minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Monitoring technologies providing more detailed information on physical activity/sedentary behaviour can now be used to explore the relationships between health and movement frequency, intensity, and duration more comprehensively. This paper explores the activity and sedentary profile that can be acquired through objective monitoring, with a focus on accelerometry. Using previously collected objective data, a detailed physical activity profile is presented and case study examples of data utilization and interpretation are provided. The rich detail captured through comprehensive profiling creates new surveillance and study possibilities and could inform new physical activity guidelines. Data are presented in various formats to demonstrate the dangers of misinterpretation when monitoring population adherence to Canadas Physical Activity Guidelines. Recommendations for physical activity and sedentary profiling are provided and future research needs identified.<p>
Study Three
Purpose: This study explored the influence of modernity on the physical activity behaviours (e.g. intensity and timing) of children. Methods: Children aged 8-13 years living a traditional lifestyle (Old Order Amish; OOA n=68, Old Order Mennonite; OOM n=120) were compared with children living a contemporary lifestyle (rural Saskatchewan; RSK n=132 and urban Saskatchewan; USK n=93). Physical activity was objectively assessed for seven consecutive days using Actigraph 7164 accelerometers. Custom software was used to reduce the raw accelerometer data into standardized outcome variables. Results: On weekdays there were group differences in moderate physical activity between all lifestyle groups (OOA > OOM > USK > RSK). On the weekend, the group differences in moderate physical activity persisted between, but not within, lifestyle groups (OOA = OOM > USK = RSK). During school hours, all groups had similar activity and sedentary timings; however, they differed in magnitude with the OOA and OOM being both more sedentary and more active. Compared to in school, the OOA and OOM children had 44% lower sedentary time out of school compared to only 15% lower for RSK and USK children. Conclusions: Though cross-sectional, these data suggest that contemporary/modern living is associated with lower levels of moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity compared to lifestyles representative of earlier generations. Analyzing the physical activity and sedentary patterns of traditional lifestyle groups such as the OOA and OOM can provide valuable insight into the quantity and quality of physical activity necessary to promote health.<p>
General Conclusions: Together, these three studies will help contribute to the generation of best practices in the accelerometric profiling of both physical activity and sedentary behaviours.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:SSU.etd-03302011-121425 |
| Date | 26 April 2011 |
| Creators | Esliger, Dale Winfield |
| Contributors | Muhajarine, Nazeem, Kontulainen, Saija, Farthing, Jon, Binsted, Gordon, Janz, Kathleen, Baxter-Jones, Adam |
| Publisher | University of Saskatchewan |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://library.usask.ca/theses/available/etd-03302011-121425/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Saskatchewan or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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