Computer Science And Applications Essay, Research Paper

Jeremy Johnson

Kin 553 Dr. Shows

Sept. 18, 2000

The Department of Kinesiology at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Freer Hall, a study of the relationship with activity measured by a portable accelerometer using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was conducted. In the study 20 healthy adult volunteers were used. 17 women and 3 men participated in the study after providing written consent. The women had a mean height, weight, and body mass in kg were 72.4, 159.8, and 64.7 respectively, and the men measured to be 71, 180.3, and 85 respectively. All subjects were recruited by the university supervised physical activity program for older adults. 50 percent of the subjects engage in volunteer work activity. All physical activity was assessed using a Computer Science and Applications (CSA) portable accelerometer worn on their belt over the non-dominant hip. Subjects wore the CSA during waking hours for three consecutive weekdays. (Wednesday-Friday) The CSA has been shown to provide valid assessments of physical activity during treadmill walking and running. A complete technical description of the device has been published. Results showed that the average CSA readings over the three-day period were low in the older age group, however this difference was not statistically significant. Total PASP scores were significantly associated with average 3-day CSA readings in the complete sample and in the older age group. Significant associations between average CSA readings and PASE household and occupational sub-scales were also noted in the older age group