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Assessing Physical Activity during Wheelchair Pushing: Validity of a Portable Accelerometer
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1999
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Gait AnalysisPhysical ActivityNeuromuscular CoordinationAdapted Physical ActivityAccelerometerMovement BiomechanicsMobility SupportMovement AnalysisKinesiologyExercisePhysical ExerciseApplied PhysiologyClinical ExerciseCsa Accelerometer WornPhysical MedicineHealth SciencesHeart RateAssistive TechnologyPhysical FitnessClinical Exercise PhysiologyWheelchair PushingPortable AccelerometerRehabilitationPhysical TherapyExercise SciencePhysical Activity EpidemiologyExercise PhysiologyCsa AccelerometerHuman MovementMedicine
We assessed the validity of the Computer Science and Applications, Inc. (CSA) accelerometer as a measure of energy expenditure during wheelchair pushing. Participants completed three timed pushes over an indoor course at three different speeds while wearing a CSA accelerometer on both wrists. Pushing speeds were assigned in a random order and separated by a 5–10 min rest. Heart rate and energy expenditure were measured using an Aerosport TEEM 100. Results indicated pushing speed, heart rate, and oxygen consumption increased significantly over the three conditions ( p < .01). Significant associations ( p < .01) were noted between CSA readings from both wrists and energy expenditure over the three pushing speeds (left wrist, r = .66, right wrist r = .52). These results suggest that the CSA accelerometer worn at the wrist may provide a useful measure of physical activity in persons who use wheelchairs as their primary mode of locomotion.