Physical Activity Assessment Research

A key focus in our lab is on improving the validity and utility of measures of physical activity. Accurate measures of physical activity are essential for advancing research in a number of areas including evaluation of health outcomes, public health surveillance, identification of correlates of physical activity and evaluation of behavioral interventions. Many faculty and students affiliated with the lab work with these monitors in their research.  Some specific lines of research are summarized below.  Click here to access lists of some papers from our team.

Accelerometry-Based Activity Monitors

A key area of work in our lab is focused on improving the accuracy and utility of physical activity assessments. Our lab conducts validity and reliability studies as well as methodology papers on appropriate methods for processing and interpreting data from these types of accelerometry - based monitors. Click here to see summaries of this work and listings of papers from our lab in this area. Click here to find specific details about our work with the Sensewear monitor

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Evaluation of Consumer Based Activity Monitors

Work in the lab has explored the validity and utility of many consumer - based activity monitors that have sprung up in the market (e.g. FitBit (Force / Flex), Direct Life, Nike Fuelband, Jawbone UP, Basis, Larklife, Garmin VivoFit, Magellan Echo, Mio Alpha, Misfit Shine, Polar Loop etc...). Click here for more info.