AN EXAMINATION OF ACCELEROMETER CUT-POINTS FOR QUANTIFYING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CARDIAC POPULATIONS

Abstract

Accurate measurement of physical activity (PA) is necessary to monitor trends, assess relations with health and measure adherence to PA guidelines. While accelerometers provide accurate measures of PA they rely on validated cut-points to quantify time spent in light, moderate and vigorous intensities. Cut-points have largely been established using healthy populations; however, accelerometer output can differ based on cardiorespiratory fitness, suggesting that among individuals with compromised functioning such as those with coronary artery disease (CAD); these cut-points may lead to a misclassification of intensity.