• Indication
• Pros and cons
• Practical considerations
• Resources required
• References
• Examples and links

• Physical activity assessment
• Methods
• Combination heart sensors
• Indication

Indication

Validation studies to date suggest that combined sensors have great potential as measures of physical activity behaviour in free-living adults and children; depending on feasibility aspects of individual monitor types. The method provides detailed data on activity frequency, intensity and duration and aside from doubly labelled water and indirect calorimetry it is one of the most accurate methods for estimating physical activity energy expenditure over longer durations.  Combined sensors are therefore suitable for cross sectional studies investigating physical activity, prospective cohorts investigating links with disease and intervention studies.

Although the monitors are relatively expensive some are currently being used in semi large-scale population based studies (> 5,000 participants) suggesting that they are a feasible option in epidemiological research.  With time it is likely that these devices will become cheaper and therefore a more feasible option in terms of cost. 

The combined devices are suitable for both adults and children.

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