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The reliability, validity, and stability of a measure of physical activity in the elderly.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Kochersberger, G; McConnell, E; Kuchibhatla, MN; Pieper, C
Published in: Arch Phys Med Rehabil
August 1996

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability, validity, and stability of an accelerometer-based monitor of physical activity in an elderly population. DESIGN: Six studies were conducted to assess the Tritrac, a newly available accelerometer capable of storing three-dimensional activity data collected in minute epochs. After initial bench testing, the waist-worn devices were assessed for test-retest reliability during sitting and treadmill walking at 1mph and 2mph. Validity testing examined the Tritrac's ability to discriminate between different levels of physical activity and also compared the Tritrac with an established wrist-worn acclerometer, the Actigraph. Stability of the measure was examined over a period of 3 to 7 days, and in a subset of subjects this measurement was performed for a second week. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Residents of a VA Nursing Home (n = 40; mean age = 76), participants in an in-home nonaerobic exercise program (n = 36; mean age = 77), and community participants in an aerobic exercise program (n = 10; mean age = 71). RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for both the bench testing and test-retest reliability were .97. The device discriminated among subjects independently categorized as sedentary, moderately active, or active (F = 49.4, p = .0001) and between specific activities of varying intensity (F = 114.5, p = .0001). Tritrac and Actigraph measurement comparison showed a correlation of r = .77, p = .0001. Stability of the measure was demonstrated by ICCs = .81 and .78 for mean activity values and proportion of time spent in sedentary activity, respectively. No significant differences were observed when comparing activity measured for two separate weeks. CONCLUSION: The Tritrac is a reliable and valid instrument producing activity measurement that was stable over time in the elderly population we studied. During our longitudinal testing, 20% of the subjects did not comply with wearing the device; this noncompliance issue must be considered in any use of the Tritrac.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Arch Phys Med Rehabil

DOI

ISSN

0003-9993

Publication Date

August 1996

Volume

77

Issue

8

Start / End Page

793 / 795

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Rehabilitation
  • Movement
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Humans
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Aged
  • 4207 Sports science and exercise
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Kochersberger, G., McConnell, E., Kuchibhatla, M. N., & Pieper, C. (1996). The reliability, validity, and stability of a measure of physical activity in the elderly. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 77(8), 793–795. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-9993(96)90258-0
Kochersberger, G., E. McConnell, M. N. Kuchibhatla, and C. Pieper. “The reliability, validity, and stability of a measure of physical activity in the elderly.Arch Phys Med Rehabil 77, no. 8 (August 1996): 793–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-9993(96)90258-0.
Kochersberger G, McConnell E, Kuchibhatla MN, Pieper C. The reliability, validity, and stability of a measure of physical activity in the elderly. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1996 Aug;77(8):793–5.
Kochersberger, G., et al. “The reliability, validity, and stability of a measure of physical activity in the elderly.Arch Phys Med Rehabil, vol. 77, no. 8, Aug. 1996, pp. 793–95. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0003-9993(96)90258-0.
Kochersberger G, McConnell E, Kuchibhatla MN, Pieper C. The reliability, validity, and stability of a measure of physical activity in the elderly. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1996 Aug;77(8):793–795.
Journal cover image

Published In

Arch Phys Med Rehabil

DOI

ISSN

0003-9993

Publication Date

August 1996

Volume

77

Issue

8

Start / End Page

793 / 795

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Rehabilitation
  • Movement
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Humans
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Aged
  • 4207 Sports science and exercise
  • 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
  • 3202 Clinical sciences