The Objective Monitoring of Physical Activity: Contributions of Accelerometry to Epidemiology, Exercise Science and Rehabilitation

Más información sobre el libro

This book explores the new insights gained from objectively monitoring habitual physical activity using pedometers and accelerometers. It reviews advancements in activity monitoring technology and highlights the advantages of objective monitors over traditional physical activity questionnaires. The text identifies existing knowledge gaps and discusses the potential for future improvements in monitoring device design. For over seventy years, epidemiologists have investigated the links between questionnaire-based assessments of physical activity and various health conditions. While they have generally found positive correlations between regular exercise and good health, the limitations of questionnaires have hindered clear exercise recommendations for disease prevention and treatment. Affordable pedometers and accelerometers now enable epidemiologists to gather precise, objective data on the volume, intensity, and patterns of physical activity. This data can be correlated with past and future health outcomes and help establish dose/response relationships between physical activity and health components. Such insights are crucial for understanding the causal nature of observed associations and for developing evidence-based guidelines on the minimal daily physical activity levels necessary for maintaining good health.