Using Accelerometer Data to Identify Movement Patterns in an Older Adult: Innovative Strategy for Physical Activity Promotion

Abstract

Evidence suggests a physically active lifestyle increases proportion of life lived free of disability. Unfortunately, physical activity participation in older adults is low, suggesting innovative strategies are needed. This case-report (1) examined daily activity routines from accelerometer data; and (2) utilized the movement patterns to "infuse" physical activity within the participant's normal routine.

Case-report: A 60 year old wore an Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer, on 2 separate days and weeks. Movement patterns, from "raw" accelerometer data, were presented to the participant to identify areas of high and low activity, with suggestions how to increase overall activity. Results indicated activity patterns were reproducible. Physical activity infusions increased movement counts by 34%, and moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) by ~82minutes.

Discussion: Examination of "raw" accelerometer data identified distinct movement routines. Understanding these routines allowed for health provider/participant interaction that led to physical activity "infusions" which contributed to a large increase in MVPA, without major alterations to the individual's day.

Keywords: ACCELEROMETER; HEALTH PROMOTION; OLDER ADULTS; PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PATTERNS.

Figure 1.

Vector Magnitude Counts across the “Typical” and “Infusion” activity days, for both weeks

Figure 2.

Volume of Activity in minutes for the “Typical” and “Infusion” activity days, for both weeks

Figure 3.

a. Vector Magnitude Counts across a single day accelerometer wear period (16 hours), for week 1 and a “typical” activity day. b. Vector Magnitude Counts across a single day accelerometer wear period (16 hours), for week 1 with physical activity “infusions”

Figure 4.

a. Vector Magnitude Counts across a single day accelerometer wear period (16 hours), for week 2 and a “typical” activity day b. Vector Magnitude Counts across a single day accelerometer wear period (16 hours), for week 2 with physical activity “infusions”