Measurement of Physical Activity Energy Expenditure Using Inertial Sensors

Abstract

AbstractPhysical activity health benefits and a lower mortality rate. The energy expenditure measurement is important to know physical activity in adults. Indirect calorimetry is the most accurate technique in the measurement of energy expenditure, but it is expensive and difficult to implement. There are techniques and methods for the estimation of energy expenditure using inertial sensors which presents some advantages over indirect calorimetry. A ubiquitous health system for the measurement and monitoring of energy expenditure in adults is proposed. The system consists of a wearable device that integrates inertial sensors and a communication card based on the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol and a mobile application on a smartphone that calculates the energy consumption. The system was evaluated in a controlled study with several activities. The results are encouraging since they show high precision in the measurement energy expenditure.KeywordsAmbient intelligenceEnergy expenditureInertial sensorsUbiquitous health