Accuracy of Objective Physical Activity Monitors in Measuring Steps in Older Adults
Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate accuracy of research activity monitors in measuring steps in older adults with a range of walking abilities. Method: Participants completed an initial assessment of gait speed. The accuracy of each monitor to record 100 steps was assessed across two wa...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2018-06-01
|
| Series: | Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/2333721418781126 |
| _version_ | 1819067674214268928 |
|---|---|
| author | Andrea L. Hergenroeder PhD, PT Bethany Barone Gibbs PhD Mary P. Kotlarczyk PhD Robert J. Kowalsky PhD Subashan Perera PhD Jennifer S. Brach PhD, PT |
| author_facet | Andrea L. Hergenroeder PhD, PT Bethany Barone Gibbs PhD Mary P. Kotlarczyk PhD Robert J. Kowalsky PhD Subashan Perera PhD Jennifer S. Brach PhD, PT |
| author_sort | Andrea L. Hergenroeder PhD, PT |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate accuracy of research activity monitors in measuring steps in older adults with a range of walking abilities. Method: Participants completed an initial assessment of gait speed. The accuracy of each monitor to record 100 steps was assessed across two walking trials. Results: In all, 43 older adults (age 87 ± 5.7 years, 81.4% female) participated. Overall, the StepWatch had the highest accuracy (99.0% ± 1.5%), followed by the ActivPAL (93.7% ± 11.1%) and the Actigraph (51.4% ± 35.7%). The accuracy of the Actigraph and ActivPAL varied according to assistive device use, and the accuracy of all three monitors differed by gait speed category (all p < .05). StepWatch was highly accurate (⩾97.7) across all conditions. Discussion: The StepWatch and ActivPAL monitor were reasonably accurate in measuring steps in older adults who walk slowly and use an assistive device. The Actigraph significantly undercounted steps in those who walk slow or use an assistive device. Researchers should consider gait speed and the use of assistive devices when selecting an activity monitor. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T16:22:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-11ad6d8d272349c4bc9b7a112db3ddc4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2333-7214 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T16:22:00Z |
| publishDate | 2018-06-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-11ad6d8d272349c4bc9b7a112db3ddc42022-12-21T18:57:32ZengSAGE PublishingGerontology and Geriatric Medicine2333-72142018-06-01410.1177/2333721418781126Accuracy of Objective Physical Activity Monitors in Measuring Steps in Older AdultsAndrea L. Hergenroeder PhD, PT0Bethany Barone Gibbs PhD1Mary P. Kotlarczyk PhD2Robert J. Kowalsky PhD3Subashan Perera PhD4Jennifer S. Brach PhD, PT5University of Pittsburgh, PA, USAUniversity of Pittsburgh, PA, USAUniversity of Pittsburgh, PA, USATexas A&M University–Kingsville, TX, USAUniversity of Pittsburgh, PA, USAUniversity of Pittsburgh, PA, USAObjective: The aim of this study is to evaluate accuracy of research activity monitors in measuring steps in older adults with a range of walking abilities. Method: Participants completed an initial assessment of gait speed. The accuracy of each monitor to record 100 steps was assessed across two walking trials. Results: In all, 43 older adults (age 87 ± 5.7 years, 81.4% female) participated. Overall, the StepWatch had the highest accuracy (99.0% ± 1.5%), followed by the ActivPAL (93.7% ± 11.1%) and the Actigraph (51.4% ± 35.7%). The accuracy of the Actigraph and ActivPAL varied according to assistive device use, and the accuracy of all three monitors differed by gait speed category (all p < .05). StepWatch was highly accurate (⩾97.7) across all conditions. Discussion: The StepWatch and ActivPAL monitor were reasonably accurate in measuring steps in older adults who walk slowly and use an assistive device. The Actigraph significantly undercounted steps in those who walk slow or use an assistive device. Researchers should consider gait speed and the use of assistive devices when selecting an activity monitor.https://doi.org/10.1177/2333721418781126 |
| spellingShingle | Andrea L. Hergenroeder PhD, PT Bethany Barone Gibbs PhD Mary P. Kotlarczyk PhD Robert J. Kowalsky PhD Subashan Perera PhD Jennifer S. Brach PhD, PT Accuracy of Objective Physical Activity Monitors in Measuring Steps in Older Adults Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine |
| title | Accuracy of Objective Physical Activity Monitors in Measuring Steps in Older Adults |
| title_full | Accuracy of Objective Physical Activity Monitors in Measuring Steps in Older Adults |
| title_fullStr | Accuracy of Objective Physical Activity Monitors in Measuring Steps in Older Adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Accuracy of Objective Physical Activity Monitors in Measuring Steps in Older Adults |
| title_short | Accuracy of Objective Physical Activity Monitors in Measuring Steps in Older Adults |
| title_sort | accuracy of objective physical activity monitors in measuring steps in older adults |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/2333721418781126 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT andrealhergenroederphdpt accuracyofobjectivephysicalactivitymonitorsinmeasuringstepsinolderadults AT bethanybaronegibbsphd accuracyofobjectivephysicalactivitymonitorsinmeasuringstepsinolderadults AT marypkotlarczykphd accuracyofobjectivephysicalactivitymonitorsinmeasuringstepsinolderadults AT robertjkowalskyphd accuracyofobjectivephysicalactivitymonitorsinmeasuringstepsinolderadults AT subashanpereraphd accuracyofobjectivephysicalactivitymonitorsinmeasuringstepsinolderadults AT jennifersbrachphdpt accuracyofobjectivephysicalactivitymonitorsinmeasuringstepsinolderadults |