No one accelerometer-based physical activity data collection protocol can fit all research questions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Measuring physical activity and sedentary behavior accurately remains a challenge. When describing the uncertainty of mean values or when making group comparisons, minimising Standard Error of the Mean (SEM) is important. The sample size and the number of repeated observations within each subject influence the size of the SEM. In this study we have investigated how different combinations of sample sizes and repeated observations influence the magnitude of the SEM.

Methods

A convenience sample were asked to wear an accelerometer for 28 consecutive days. Based on the within and between subject variances the SEM for the different combinations of sample sizes and number of monitored days was calculated.

Results

Fifty subjects (67% women, mean ± SD age 41 ± 19 y

SUBMITTER: Bergman P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7271555 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature