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bioRxiv · 10.1101/276154

Accelerometry data in health research: challenges and opportunities. Review and examples

Karas, M.·Bai, J.·Straczkiewicz, M.·Harezlak, J.·Glynn, N. W.·Harris, T.·Zipunnikov, V.·Crainiceanu, C.·Urbanek, J. K.
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Abstract

Wearable accelerometers provide detailed, objective, and continu-ous measurements of physical activity (PA). Recent advances in technology and the decreasing cost of wearable devices led to an explosion in the popula-rity of wearable technology in health research. An ever increasing number of studies collect high-throughput, sub-second level raw acceleration data. In this paper we discuss problems related to the collection and analysis of raw acce-lerometry data and provide insights into potential solutions. In particular, we describe the size and complexity of the data, the within- and between-subject variability and the effects of sensor location on the body. We also provide a short tutorial for dealing with sampling frequency, device calibration, data labeling and multiple PA monitors synchronization. We illustrate these po-ints using the Developmental Epidemiological Cohort Study (DECOS), which collected raw accelerometry data on individuals both in a controlled and the free-living environment.

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Karas, M., Bai, J., Straczkiewicz, M., Harezlak, J., Glynn, N. W., Harris, T., Zipunnikov, V., Crainiceanu, C., Urbanek, J. K.. 2018-03-05. Accelerometry data in health research: challenges and opportunities. Review and examples. https://doi.org/10.1101/276154

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