Making sense of accelerometer measurements in pervasive physical activity applications

ABSTRACT

In the last few years, accelerometer-based entertainment and health applications have been receiving increased attention in the research and commercial worlds. The effect of accelerometer placement on different parts of the body, despite its apparent significance, received little consideration. This paper documents through experimentation the different characteristics of accelerometer output on the waist, arm, wrist, thigh, and ankle in the context of translational body motion (walk). Furthermore, it offers experimental formulas that transform peripheral body measurements to more reliable, center body (i.e., waist) measurements, and these in turn to caloric measurements, which are the standard physical activity units. The importance of these results on the design of ubiquitous health applications and the ensuing user experiences cannot be underestimated. The paper's methodology can be used in further studies in other physical activity contexts, where more elaborate body motion patterns are involved.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.m Miscellaneous

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.m Miscellaneous

General Terms:
Measurement

Keywords:
accelerometer placement, physical activity interfaces, ubiquitous health applications