Accelerometry and Physical Activity: A Narrative Review of Applications in Health Research
Keywords:
accelerometer, physical activity, health research, applicationsAbstract
The applications of accelerometers in health research and clinical practice have advanced significantly in recent years, moving from recording of physical activity (PA) to multidimensional tools for health monitoring and disease management. This narrative review presents four main applications of accelerometers in health research, using illustrative examples from contemporary scientific literature: (A) assessment and monitoring of PA levels, (B) understanding the relationships between PA and health indicators, (C) design and evaluation of interventions, and (D) disease management. In the area of monitoring and assessment, accelerometers have provided the foundation for objective, large-scale recording of PA patterns. The understanding of relationships with health indicators has been reshaped through large epidemiological studies. Intervention evaluation has benefited from the use of objective outcome measures, which allow for a detailed understanding of behaviour change mechanisms, while also serving as motivational tools. Applications in disease management highlight the clinical usefulness of continuous PA monitoring for personalized care and timely detection of changes in health. Finally, areas for future research are discussed.
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