title: Adherence to accelerometer protocols among women from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Objective measurement of physical activity with accelerometers is a challenging task in community-based intervention research. Challenges include distribution of and orientation to monitors, nonwear, incorrect placement, and loss of equipment. Data collection among participants from disadvantaged populations may be further hindered by factors such as transportation challenges, competing responsibilities, and cultural considerations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research staff distributed accelerometers and provided an orientation that was tailored to the population group. General adherence strategies such as follow-up calls, daily diaries, verbal and written instructions, and incentives were accompanied by population-specific strategies such as assisting with transportation, reducing obstacles to wearing the accelerometer, tailoring the message to the participant population, and creating a nonjudgmental environment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty women asked to wear the Actigraph GT1M returned the accelerometer, and 57 of them provided sufficient data for analysis (at least 10 hours a day for a minimum of 4 days) resulting in 95% adherence to the protocol. Participants wore the accelerometers for an average of 5.98 days and 13.15 hours per day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high accelerometer monitoring adherence among this group of economically disadvantaged women demonstrates that collection of high-quality, objective physical activity data from disadvantaged populations in field-based research is possible.
authors: Prevention Research Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
authors: Patricia A
authors: PA
authors: Sharpe
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Wilcox
authors: Laura J
authors: LJ
authors: Rooney
authors: Donna
authors: D
authors: Strong
authors: Rosie
authors: R
authors: Hopkins-Campbell
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Butel
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Ainsworth
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Parra-Medina
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012111:Residence Characteristics