Construct Validity of RT3 Accelerometer: A Comparison of Level-Ground and Treadmill Walking at Self-Selected Speeds
By Hendrick, Paul; Boyd, Thalia; Low, Oliver; Takarangi, Kylie; Paterson, Mike; Claydon, Leica; Milosavljevic, Steve; Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Vol. 47, No. 2, pp. 157-168Publication Date: 2010
Study examined differences in accelerometer output in individuals walking on level ground and on a treadmill. The RT3 triaxial accelerometer used in the study is described as a waist-mounted device for measuring free-living activity within a range of populations. The 25 participants, 10 men and 15 women without disabilities and with a mean age of 24 years, wore an RT3 accelerometer while walking for 10 minutes at their self-selected normal and brisk walking speeds. These activities were repeated on a treadmill using the individual speeds from level-ground walking on two occasions one week apart, for a total of six walking sessions for each of the 25 participants. Paired t-tests found a difference in RT3 accelerometer vector magnitude (VM) counts per minute between the two walking speeds on both surfaces on days 1 and 2. Although no significant differences were found between VM counts per minute on the two surfaces at normal and brisk speeds on days 1 and 2, wide limits of agreement were found between level-ground and treadmill walking at booth speeds. Measurement and discrimination of walking intensity employing RT3 accelerometer VM counts per minute on the treadmill demonstrated reasonable validity and stability over two time points compared with level-ground walking.
Assistive Products Discussed: RT3 RESEARCH ACTIVITY MONITOR
Published by:
VA Rehabilitation Research & Development Service (Web Site: http://www.rehab.research.va.gov )
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J58603
