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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
A Method for Quantifying Upper Limb Performance in Daily Life Using Accelerometers
Published on: April 21, 2017
Measurement of human daily physical activity
Kuan Zhang1, Patricia Werner, Ming Sun
1New York Obesity Research Center, St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital New York, New York 10025, USA. kz6@columbia.edu
Objectives:
To validate a new device, Intelligent Device for Energy Expenditure and Activity (IDEEA), for the measurement of duration, frequency, and intensity of various types of human physical activity (PA).
Research Methods And Procedures:
The ability of IDEEA to identify and quantify 32 types of PA, including the most common daily exercise and nonexercise PA, was tested in 76 subjects: Subjects included males (N = 33) and females (N = 43) ranging in age from 13 to 72 years with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 24.7 kg/m(2) (range: 18.4 to 41.0) [43 females: 13 to 72 years old and BMI 18.4 to approximately 41.0 kg/m(2) (mean = 24.7 kg/m(2)); 33 males: 15 to approximately 72 years old and BMI 21.0 to approximately 38.4 kg/m(2) (mean = 25.9 kg/m(2))]. Postures, limb movements, and jumping were tested using a timed protocol of specific activities. Walking and running were tested using a 60-meter track, on which subjects walked and ran at 6 self-selected speeds. Stair climbing and descending were tested by timing subjects who climbed and descended a flight of stairs at two different speeds.
Results:
Correct identification rates averaged 98.9% for posture and limb movement type and 98.5% for gait type. Pooled correlation between predicted and actual speeds of walking and running was high (r = 0.986, p
Discussion:
IDEEA accurately measured duration, frequency, type, and intensity of a variety of daily PAs.
