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Cited by 587Physical Activity and HealthContext-Aware Activity Recognition SystemsCardiovascular and exercise physiology

Assessment of physical activity – a review of methodologies with reference to epidemiological research: A report of the exercise physiology section of the European association of cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation

Warren, Janet M., Ekelund, Ulf, Besson, Herve, Mezzani, Alessandro, Geladas, Nickos, Vanhees, Luc·2010·European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation
DOI 10.1097/hjr.0b013e32832ed875
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Abstract

Physical activity has a fundamental role in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. The precise measurement of physical activity is key to many surveillance and epidemiological studies investigating trends and associations with disease. Public health initiatives aimed at increasing physical activity rely on the measurement of physical activity to monitor their effectiveness. Physical activity is multidimensional, and a complex behaviour to measure; its various domains are often misunderstood. Inappropriate or crude measures of physical activity have serious implications, and are likely to lead to misleading results and underestimate effect size. In this review, key definitions and theoretical aspects, which underpin the measurement of physical activity, are briefly discussed. Methodologies particularly suited for use in epidemiological research are reviewed, with particular reference to their validity, primary outcome measure and considerations when using each in the field. It is acknowledged that the choice of method may be a compromise between accuracy level and feasibility, but the ultimate choice of tool must suit the stated aim of the research. A framework is presented to guide researchers on the selection of the most suitable tool for use in a specific study.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review summarizes methodologies for assessing physical activity in epidemiological research, emphasizing that physical activity is multidimensional and that no single method captures all domains. It provides a framework and comparison tables to guide selection among self-report, accelerometry, heart rate monitoring, combined sensors, pedometry, and other methods according to study aim, population, and feasibility.

Key findings

  • Physical activity is multidimensional—frequency, duration, intensity, and type—and occurs across household, occupational, transportation, and leisure domains; crude measures can lead to misleading or false-negative associations. Physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) typically accounts for 15–30% of total energy expenditure, but may be 60–70% in extremely active individuals.
  • Self-report instruments are cheapest and easiest for large studies but have recall, social desirability, and domain-capture limitations; criterion validity is often poor to moderate (correlation coefficients about r = 0.30–0.40), and absolute validity is often poor. They are useful for ranking individuals and assessing domains, but not for individual-level energy expenditure.
  • Accelerometry is valid at group level for free-living PAEE but cut-point variability is substantial: sedentary thresholds range from <100 to <800 counts per minute, and moderate-intensity thresholds from 1900 to 8200 counts per minute. Pedometers are valid for step counting (median correlation r = 0.86 versus accelerometry; r = 0.806 with oxygen uptake in children) but not for free-living energy expenditure.
  • Combined heart rate and accelerometer devices improve PAEE estimates by combining strengths of each method, and have been used in semi-large-scale population studies (>5000 participants). Method selection should be a trade-off between validity and feasibility, guided by the research question, population, resources, and data-handling capacity.

Methods

  • Narrative review/report from the Exercise Physiology Section of the European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation; no primary data collection or systematic review search strategy is described.
  • The paper synthesizes definitions, reliability/validity/responsiveness concepts, and methods including self-report, accelerometry, heart rate monitoring, combined heart rate and movement sensing, pedometry, direct observation, and doubly labelled water.
  • Main analysis is qualitative synthesis with comparison tables and a staged framework for selecting assessment tools by study type, outcome, population, and practical considerations; no statistical meta-analysis or sample is reported.

Limitations

  • The paper states that the perfect assessment method does not exist; choice is a compromise between accuracy and feasibility, and self-report validity for estimating activity energy expenditure remains unclear. It also notes lack of consensus on the flex heart rate point and variability in accelerometer cut-points.
  • Evident from the text: as a narrative review, it does not report a systematic search strategy, inclusion criteria, or formal quality appraisal, so recommendations rely on cited studies and expert synthesis rather than meta-analytic evidence.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1097/hjr.0b013e32832ed875

Cites

119 of 119 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 65 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingcitation

    A study investigating a range of calibration techniques with decreasing levels of complexity showed that simple calibration techniques (treadmill and step test) achieve acceptable levels of accuracy for this device to be considered as an objective measure in population studies.

    “A study investigating a range of calibration techniques with decreasing levels of complexity showed that simple calibration techniques (treadmill and step test) achieve acceptable levels of accuracy for this device to be considered as an objective measure in population studies.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingcitation

    Despite numerous validation studies, the validity of physical activity questionnaires for activity energy expenditure estimation remains unclear.

    “Despite the numerous validation studies already published, the validity of physical activity questionnaires for activity EE estimation remains unclear [63].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [63] source

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  • Premisecitation

    A review concluded that the Flemish Physical Activity Computerized Questionnaire has the strongest results for reliability and validity of any current measure of leisure-time sedentary behaviour.

    “Recently, a review of measures of television viewing time and other nonoccupational sedentary behaviour in adults concluded that this questionnaire has the strongest results for reliability and validity of any current measure of leisure-time sedentary behaviour [37].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [37] source

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  • Premisecitation

    Investigation of the dose-response relationship between physical activity and health outcomes is dependent on a reliable and valid responsive assessment of physical activity.

    “Investigation of the dose-response relationship between physical activity and health outcomes is dependent on a reliable and valid responsive assessment of physical activity [4].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4]

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  • Premisecitation

    Crude measures of physical activity may have led to inconsistent and false-negative results for the association of physical activity or inactivity and disease risk in epidemiological studies.

    “Crude measures of physical activity may have led to inconsistent and false-negative results for the association of physical activity (or inactivity) and disease risk in epidemiological studies [5].”
    • Also stated in: § Abstract · hedged
      “Inappropriate or crude measures of physical activity have serious implications, and are likely to lead to misleading results and underestimate effect size.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [5] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims. 34
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 20

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Self-reported instruments such as questionnaires usually show moderate to good reliability, poor to moderate criterion validity (correlation coefficients of about r = 0.30 to 0.40), and often poor absolute validity.

    “Usually, self-reported instruments such as questionnaires show moderate to good reliability, poor to moderate criterion validity (i.e.correlation coefficients of about r = 0.30 to 0.40), whereas absolute validity is often poor.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [28]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Estimates of physical activity energy expenditure from accelerometry can be made using regression models derived from free-living measurements of physical activity energy expenditure by doubly labelled water, but precision is low on an individual basis.

    “Estimates of PAEE from accelerometry can also be made using regression models derived from free-living measurements of PAEE by DLW but precision is low on an individual basis.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [76]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    There is a good relationship between accelerometer counts and energy expenditure across many, but not all, activities; the strongest relationship is seen in walking and jogging activities, with levelling off at higher intensities such as running.

    “There is a good relationship between counts and EE across many, but not all, activities.The strongest relationship is seen in walking and jogging activities, there is levelling off at higher intensities (i.e.running).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Published data on cut points for sedentary activities from one frequently used brand typically range from <100 to <800 counts per minute; for moderate intensity activities, the range is between 1900 and 8200 counts per minute.

    “Published data on cut point for sedentary activities from one of the most frequently used brands typically ranges from < 100 to < 800 counts per minute; for moderate intensity activities, the range is between 1900 and 8200 counts per minute.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    One study found that placement above or below the sternum had minimal effect on movement counts and estimates of energy expenditure; placement of the monitor below the sternum may be marginally preferable for heart rate data.

    “The study found that placement (i.e.above or below the sternum) had minimal effect on movement counts and estimates of EE; placement of the monitor below the sternum may be marginally preferable for HR data [94].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [94]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Such a questionnaire is valid to rank individuals at the population level but is not valid to measure physical activity with an absolute score at the individual level.

    “This questionnaire is considered valid to rank individuals (validity at the population level) but is not valid to measure physical activity with an absolute score (lack of validity at the individual level).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Previous day's recall has been suggested as the most appropriate method for children aged 10-11 years.

    “and previous day's recall has been suggested as the most appropriate method for children aged 10-11 years [30].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [30]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Structured questionnaires provide an assessment of physical activity by domains, which is not obtained when using objective measurement, and may provide valid estimates of physical activity energy expenditure and time spent at different intensity levels on group level.

    “However, structured questionnaires provide an assessment of physical activity by domains, which is not obtained when using objective measurement of physical activity and may have the potential to provide valid estimates of PAEE and time spent at different intensity levels on group level.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    It is necessary to rely on proxy reports for children, but this technique is difficult as a child gets older and becomes more independent.

    “It is necessary to rely on proxy reports for children (e.g. by parents or teachers), but the use of this technique is difficult as a child gets older and becomes more independent [47].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [47]

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    The cost of an assessment method is roughly inversely proportional to its accuracy.

    “Roughly, the cost of an assessment method is inversely proportional to its accuracy;”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisereasoning

    Three dimensions of physical activity (intensity, frequency and duration) are fundamental because their assessments provide the ability to calculate energy expenditure associated with physical activity.

    “Three of these dimensions (i.e.intensity, frequency and duration) of physical activity are fundamental because their assessments provide the ability to calculate energy expenditure (EE) associated with physical activity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    A reliable questionnaire that overestimates physical activity to a large extent may correlate highly with an objective physical activity measure; the two measurements correlate but disagree.

    “A reliable questionnaire that overestimates physical activity to a large extent may correlate highly with an objective physical activity; these two measurements correlate but disagree.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Moderate exercise is protective in the development of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis and many other chronic diseases.

    “There is abundant evidence from both observational and clinical studies that moderate exercise is protective in the development of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis and many other chronic diseases [1,2].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [1]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [2] source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Flemish Physical Activity Computerized Questionnaire is a reliable and reasonably valid questionnaire for assessing different dimensions of physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

    “A recent validation study concluded that the FPACQ is a reliable and reasonably valid questionnaire for assessing different dimensions of physical activity and sedentary behaviour [36].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [36]

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    For many in the developed world, occupational physical activity is minimal.

    “for many in the developed world, occupational physical activity is minimal [20].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20]

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Reliability and validity are requirements for responsiveness.

    “Reliability and validity are requirements for responsiveness.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Reliability is a prerequisite to validity.

    “Reliability is a prerequisite to validity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Room calorimetry is a highly accurate method of measuring energy expenditure in a controlled setting but is expensive and bothersome.

    “in contrast to, for example, room calorimetry, which is a highly accurate method of measuring EE in a controlled setting but expensive and bothersome.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Self-report methods are the least expensive methods to administer and the least accurate.

    “for example, self-report methods are the least expensive methods to administer and the least accurate,”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Increasing physical activity is a key component of recommendations to decrease morbidity and mortality.

    “Increasing physical activity is a key component of recommendations to decrease morbidity and mortality [3].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [3] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was rigorously tested for reliability and validity and this has been replicated in a number of countries.

    “The questionnaire was rigorously tested for reliability and validity [32] and this has been replicated in a number of countries.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [32] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Self-reported methods have limitations including difficulties in ascertaining frequency, duration and intensity, capturing all domains, social desirability bias, and cognitive demands of recall.

    “There are numerous limitations to self-reported methods, which include: difficulties in ascertaining the frequency, duration and intensity of physical activity, capturing all domains of physical activity, social desirability bias and the cognitive demands of recall [25].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] source

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Physical activity is a different concept to physical fitness.

    “Physical activity is a different concept to physical fitness [6], although the two are often related.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    Indirect calorimetry measures oxygen consumption and provides an accurate measure of energy expenditure during rest and physical activities of varying intensities.

    “Indirect calorimetry measures oxygen consumption and provides an accurate measure of EE during rest and physical activities of varying intensities.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Although combined monitors are relatively expensive, they are currently being used in semi large-scale population-based studies (>5000 participants), suggesting that they are a feasible option in epidemiological research.

    “Although the monitors are relatively expensive, they are currently being used in semi large-scale population-based studies ( > 5000 participants) suggesting that they are a feasible option in epidemiological research.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    Hip or lower back placement is probably preferable for accelerometers.

    “but hip or lower back is probably preferable [67].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [67]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • The authors state this as an assumption: The wearing position of accelerometers is not important, at least at a group level.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The relationship between heart rate and energy expenditure varies within and between individuals; factors such as age, sex, weight, fitness level, ambient temperature, body posture, and emotional state modulate it.

    “This relationship varies within and between individuals [84]; factors such as age, sex, weight and fitness level modulate this relationship [85] as do ambient temperature, body posture and emotional state such as anxiety or stress.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [84]

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    • cites [85]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The selection of a cut-off or intensity threshold can have an important bearing on the ascribing of intensity levels and is dependent on the activities performed when calibrating accelerometer output to energy expenditure.

    “The selection of a cut-off or intensity threshold can have an important bearing on the ascribing of intensity levels and is dependent on the activities performed when calibrating accelerometer output to EE [77,78].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [77]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [78]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Accelerometers are typically used to determine habitual activity, which necessitates measurement over multiple days; the actual number of days required is a subject of some debate.

    “Accelerometers are typically used to determine habitual activity, which necessitates measurement over multiple days; the actual number of days required is a subject of some debate [73].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [73]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    In combined accelerometry and heart rate devices, the pros of each method are combined, thereby negating some disadvantages of each method used alone; in addition, the measurement error from the two methods is not correlated.

    “In these devices, the pros of each method are combined, thereby negating some of the disadvantages of each method used alone; in addition, the measurement error from the two methods is not correlated.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Day-to-day variation in accelerometer-measured activity is typically more variable in children requiring a longer wearing time, for example 4-9 days, whereas 3-5 days is likely to be sufficient in many adult populations.

    “There will be a range in day-to-day variation in different populations; typically, it may be more variable in children requiring a longer wearing time, for example, 4-9 days, whereas 3-5 days is likely to be sufficient in many adult populations [67].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [67]

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Most questionnaires are unable to calculate energy expenditure of physical activity with accuracy using reported frequency and duration and ascribing MET values.

    “It has been suggested that most questionnaires are unable to do this with accuracy [28,62].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [28]

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    • cites [62]

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Calibration undertaken in a laboratory setting seems unsuitable for free-living populations, whereas free-living-derived equations may be able to predict physical activity energy expenditure at a group level.

    “However, calibration undertaken in a laboratory setting seems unsuitable for free-living populations [75], whereas free-living-derived equations may be able to predict PAEE at a group level [76].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [75]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [76]

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The elderly are a diverse population group in terms of physical and cognitive function, likely reflected in a wide range of activity levels and competence to self-report this activity.

    “The elderly are a diverse population group in terms of physical and cognitive function and this is likely to be reflected in a wide range of activity levels and competence to self-report this activity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    A count value from accelerometers is an arbitrary unit that varies between monitor brands.

    “Unfortunately, a count value is an arbitrary unit, which varies between monitor brands.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    It can be difficult to determine non-wearing times in accelerometers, but this will be readily apparent in a combined device because of the measurement of heart rate.

    “It can be difficult to determine non-wearing times in accelerometers but this will be readily apparent in a combined device because of the measurement of HR.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The inability to measure all activities equally well is a limitation of accelerometry, but perhaps not a large one because activity monitors are reasonably accurate for measuring locomotor movement, which constitutes the bulk of daily activity at least for adults.

    “The inability to measure all activities equally well is thus a limitation of accelerometry, but perhaps not a large one because activity monitors are reasonably accurate for measuring locomotor movement, which constitutes the bulk of daily activity (at least for adults) [66].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [66]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Questionnaires are able to give estimates of time spent in activities of various levels of intensity, and are able to rank people in levels of reported activity.

    “However, questionnaires are able to give estimates of time spent in activities of various levels of intensity, and are able to rank people in levels of reported activity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The flex heart rate method has been validated against free-living measurements of total energy expenditure and physical activity energy expenditure by doubly labelled water in children and adults and provides valid data at a group level.

    “The flex HR method has been validated against free-living measurements of TEE and PAEE by DLW in children and adults and provides valid data at a group level [86,87].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [86]

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    • cites [87]

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    • The authors state this as an assumption: When heart rate drops below the flex point, resting energy expenditure is assumed.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Many questionnaires used in observational studies have focused on leisure-time physical activity, but there is a danger in focusing on one aspect of physical activity.

    “Many questionnaires used in observational studies have focused on leisure-time physical activity but there is a danger in focusing on one aspect of physical activity [60].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [60] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    At lower levels of intensity, heart rate is less accurate at estimating energy expenditure; this is the level that accelerometers are most accurate at.

    “At lower levels of intensity, HR is less accurate at estimating EE; this is the level that accelerometers are most accurate at.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisenone given

    Pedometers cannot record nonlocomotor movements.

    “Inability to record nonlocomotor movements”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Objective measurement of physical activity is now affordable and feasible for large-scale studies.

    “The advent of technology means that objective measurement of physical activity is now affordable and feasible for large-scale studies”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationnone given

    The specific study type and design has an important bearing on the choice of method to measure physical activity.

    “The specific study type and design has an important bearing on the choice of method to measure physical activity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    Pedometers have better accuracy at faster walking speeds but not running; good correlations to estimate energy expenditure have been shown.

    “Better accuracy has been reported at faster walking speeds but not running; good correlations to estimate EE have been shown”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisenone given

    Pedometers are specifically designed to assess walking only.

    “Are specifically designed to assess walking only”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisereasoning

    Objective measurement of physical activity has been incorporated in subsamples of national surveys (e.g., UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey, Health Survey England, US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey).

    “and this has been incorporated in subsamples of national surveys (e.g.UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey, Health Survey England and the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The choice of a crude or inappropriate method will lead to crude and misleading outcome data.

    “The choice of a crude or inappropriate method will lead to crude and misleading outcome data.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Heart rate monitoring is only useful for aerobic activities.

    “Only useful for aerobic activities”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Comparisons of the most common pedometers have found wide variation between a couple of models and smaller variation among the rest, with greatest agreement at speeds between 4.8 and 6.4 km/h.

    “Comparisons of the most common pedometers have found wide variation between a couple of models and a smaller variation among the rest with greatest agreement at speeds between 4.8 and 6.4 km/h [105]”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [105]

      Not checked in the free run.

50 of 50

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    In healthy normal-weight individuals at rest, body oxygen consumption is approximately 3.5 ml/kg per min, equating to approximately 1 kcal/kg/h, and this basal rate is 1 metabolic equivalent (1 MET).

    “It is assumed that in healthy normal-weight individuals at rest, the body oxygen consumption is approximately 3.5 ml/kg per min which equates to approximately 1kilocalorie (kcal)/kg/h as 1 l of O 2 has an energy cost of approximately 5 kcal.This basal rate of oxygen consumption and associated calorie cost is said to be 1 metabolic equivalent (or 1 MET)”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The wearing position of accelerometers is not important, at least at a group level.

    “the wearing position is assumed not to be important, at least at a group level”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    When heart rate drops below the flex point, resting energy expenditure is assumed.

    “When HR drops below the flex point, resting EE is assumed.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Higher quality and more expensive pedometer models are superior to cheaper models.

    “(5) Higher quality and therefore more expensive models have been shown to be superior to cheaper models of pedometers.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The considerations for researchers when using pedometers are similar to many of those listed already for the use of accelerometers in practice.

    “The considerations for researchers when using pedometers are similar to many of those listed already for the use of accelerometers in practice.”
5 of 5

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Cost-accuracy relationship is stated in the wrong direction

    Minor

    The paper says cost is inversely proportional to accuracy, but its own examples describe the least expensive method as the least accurate and an expensive method as highly accurate.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Wareham NJ, 1998, Int J Obes, 22, S30
  2. Caspersen C, 1985, Public Health Reports, 100, 126
  3. Shephard RJ, 1990, Can J Sports Sci, 15, 89
  4. Kriska A, 1997, Med Sci Sports Exerc, 29, 1
  5. Macfarlane DJ, 2006, J Appl Phys, 101, 1328
  6. Welk GJ, 2004, Med Sci Sports Exerc, 36, 1637

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Related

Authors
Warren, J. M., Ekelund, U., Besson, H., Mezzani, A., Geladas, N., & Vanhees, L.
Affiliations
  • MRC Elsie Widdowson Laboratory (GB)
  • Örebro University (SE)
  • Julius Center UMCU, GA Utrecht, The Netherlands,
  • S. Maugeri Foundation, Veruno Scientific Institute, Cardiology Division, Veruno (NO), Italy,
  • National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR)
  • KU Leuven (BE)
Corresponding author
Ekelund, Ulf
ORCID
Venue
European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2010-04
Volume
17
Issue
2
Pages
127-139
ISSN
1741-8267 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1097/hjr.0b013e32832ed875
OpenAlex
W2096490537
Semantic Scholar
462f41336170feec9f696c66a43b03c33fc3ec9c
Cited by
587
References
119
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 48 · 2019: 39 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 49 · 2016: 56 · 2015: 42 · 2014: 54 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 31
FWCI
3.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Context-Aware Activity Recognition Systems
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
Keywords
physical activity measurement, epidemiological studies, physical activity domains, chronic disease prevention, disease surveillance, exercise physiology
MeSH terms
Cardiovascular Diseases, Europe, Humans, Motor Activity, Terminology as Topic, Physical Fitness, Surveys and Questionnaires, Societies, Medical, Reproducibility of Results, Epidemiologic Research Design, Electrocardiography, Ambulatory, Monitoring, Ambulatory, Biomedical Research, Risk Reduction Behavior, Actigraphy

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-09.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-09.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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