The design of an ambulatory physical activity monitor and it application to the daily activity of the elderly

An ambulatory acceleration monitor has been developed, and physical activity was evaluated in the elderly. The ECG, and accelerations at the wrist, waist and ankle were measured. The heart rate and the frequency and amplitude of acceleration per unit time were calculated and evaluated. Both working and retired elderly performed daily activities. The heart rate closely paralleled wrist acceleration. Behavior could be differentiated by the time domain signals. This system may be effective for understanding and describing the characteristic behavior of the elderly quantitatively and objectively.