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A Review of Emerging Analytical Techniques for Objective Physical Activity Measurement in Humans

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Abstract

Physical inactivity is one of the most prevalent risk factors for non-communicable diseases in the world. A fundamental barrier to enhancing physical activity levels and decreasing sedentary behavior is limited by our understanding of associated measurement and analytical techniques. The number of analytical techniques for physical activity measurement has grown significantly, and although emerging techniques may advance analyses, little consensus is presently available and further synthesis is therefore required. The objective of this review was to identify the accuracy of emerging analytical techniques used for physical activity measurement in humans. We conducted a search of electronic databases using Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. This review included studies written in English and published between January 2010 and December 2014 that assessed physical activity using emerging analytical techniques and reported technique accuracy. A total of 2064 papers were initially retrieved from three databases. After duplicates were removed and remaining articles screened, 50 full-text articles were reviewed, resulting in the inclusion of 11 articles that met the eligibility criteria. Despite the diverse nature and the range in accuracy associated with some of the analytic techniques, the rapid development of analytics has demonstrated that more sensitive information about physical activity may be attained. However, further refinement of these techniques is needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Sports Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research centre, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales

    Cain C. T. Clark, Gareth Stratton, Melitta A. McNarry & Kelly A. Mackintosh

  2. Centre for Nanohealth, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales

    Claire M. Barnes & Huw D. Summers

  3. Engineering Behaviour Analytics in Sport and Exercise (E-BASE) Research group, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales

    Cain C. T. Clark, Claire M. Barnes, Gareth Stratton, Melitta A. McNarry, Kelly A. Mackintosh & Huw D. Summers

Authors
  1. Cain C. T. Clark
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  2. Claire M. Barnes
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  3. Gareth Stratton
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  4. Melitta A. McNarry
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Correspondence to Cain C. T. Clark.

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No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

Conflict of interest

Cain C.T. Clark, Claire M. Barnes, Gareth Stratton, Melitta A. McNarry, Kelly A. Mackintosh, and Huw D. Summers have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this review.

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Clark, C.C.T., Barnes, C.M., Stratton, G. et al. A Review of Emerging Analytical Techniques for Objective Physical Activity Measurement in Humans. Sports Med 47, 439–447 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0585-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0585-y

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