Accelerometer Data Reduction: A Comparison of Four Reduction Algorithms on Select Outcome Variables

Masse, Louise, Fuemmeler, Bernard F., Anderson, Cheryl, Matthews, Charles E., Trost, Stewart G., Catellier, Diane and Triuth, Margarita (2005) Accelerometer Data Reduction: A Comparison of Four Reduction Algorithms on Select Outcome Variables. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 37 11 Supplement: S544-S554.


Author Masse, Louise
Fuemmeler, Bernard F.
Anderson, Cheryl
Matthews, Charles E.
Trost, Stewart G.
Catellier, Diane
Triuth, Margarita
Title Accelerometer Data Reduction: A Comparison of Four Reduction Algorithms on Select Outcome Variables
Journal name Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2005-11
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1249/01.mss.0000185674.09066.8a
Volume number 37
Issue number 11 Supplement
ISSN 0195-9131
Start page S544
End page S554
Total pages 11
Place of publication Maryland
Publisher Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Language eng
Subject 1106 Human Movement and Sports Science
Abstract Purpose: Accelerometers are recognized as a valid and objective tool to assess free-living physical activity. Despite the widespread use of accelerometers, there is no standardized way to process and summarize data from them, which limits our ability to compare results across studies. This paper a) reviews decision rules researchers have used in the past, b) compares the impact of using different decision rules on a common data set, and c) identifies issues to consider for accelerometer data reduction. Methods: The methods sections of studies published in 2003 and 2004 were reviewed to determine what decision rules previous researchers have used to identify wearing period, minimal wear requirement for a valid day, spurious data, number of days used to calculate the outcome variables, and extract bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). For this study, four data reduction algorithms that employ different decision rules were used to analyze the same data set. Results: The review showed that among studies that reported their decision rules, much variability was observed. Overall, the analyses suggested that using different algorithms impacted several important outcome variables. The most stringent algorithm yielded significantly lower wearing time, the lowest activity counts per minute and counts per day, and fewer minutes of MVPA per day. An exploratory sensitivity analysis revealed that the most stringent inclusion criterion had an impact on sample size and wearing time, which in turn affected many outcome variables. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the decision rules employed to process accelerometer data have a significant impact on important outcome variables. Until guidelines are developed, it will remain difficult to compare findings across studies.
Q-Index Code C1

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collections: Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) - Collection
School of Human Movement Studies Publications
 
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Created: Tue, 10 Mar 2009, 15:18:58 EST by Maryanne Watson on behalf of Faculty Of Health Sciences