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. 2012 Dec 18;9:148. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-9-148

Table 2.

Basic characteristics and dimensions of physical activity assessed by direct measures described in this review

Tool Dimensions of Physical Activitya
Accelerometry
F: bouts of continuous activity above a predetermined intensity threshold
I: activity counts per unit time
T: only activities where accelerations change. Activity of light, moderate, vigorous activity based on cut points.
T: total volume of activity (min); time spent in activities above a predetermined intensity threshold level
 
Other: energy expenditure can be calculated from calibration equation
Pedometry
I: Step counts per unit time.
 
T: walking
Indirect Calorimetry
F: bouts of continuous activity above a predetermined intensity threshold
I: average oxygen consumption
T: activity of light, moderate, vigorous activity based on cut points.
T: total volume of activity (min) times spent in activities above a predetermined intensity threshold level
 
Other: energy expenditure can be calculated from oxygen consumption
Doubly labeled water
FITT: not evaluated
 
Other: energy expenditure calculated from carbon dioxide production
Heart Rate Monitoring
F: bouts of activities/unit time greater than predetermined thresholds
I: beats per min, average heart rate per day or time interval
T: activities of different intensities based on cut points
T: Duration of time spent activities of different intensities based on cut points
 
Other: Energy expenditure can be calculated from group or individual calibration curves
Direct Observation
F: level of detail varies depending on observation protocol
T: level of detail varies depending on observation protocol
T: level of detail varies depending on observation protocol
  Other: Environment of activity, presence of others, behavioral cues, barriers

a.Abbreviations: FITT frequency, intensity, type, & time.

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