title: Positive effect of the use of accelerometry on lifestyle awareness of overweight hypertensive patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sedentary habits are strongly associated with increase of cardiovascular risk factors. The present study aimed to verify the role of accelerometry in identifying sedentary behavior, and the possible short term positive effect of this intervention on some anthropometric variables in a group of patients with cardiovascular risks factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  To quantify daily Spontaneous Motor Activity (SMA) levels and identify sedentary behavior, an accelerometer was employed, in addition to a simple questionnaire, in a group of overweight, hypertensive subjects. A personalized unsupervised 3 month long physical exercise program was planned. After this time, acceleroometry was again undertaken to analyze the impact of the intervention on some life style parameters, including the number of the steps taken daily, and Physical Activity Level (PAL). In addition, body water balance, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Assessment of physical activity by accelerometry identifies sedentary behaviors in a larger number of individuals. After three months of regular unsupervised aerobic exercise, PAL improved from 1.56 ±0.1 to 1.68±0.2 with P<0.005, weight (kg) reduced from 85.13 ± 20 to 83.10 ± 19 (P<0.05), BMI from 29.58 to 28.7 (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accelerometry allows to objectify PAL, and can be used to monitor improvement of variables strongly related to cardiovascular risk.
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Center, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stefani
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Center, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mascherini
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Center, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Scacciati
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Center, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.affiliation: Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy, & Queen Mary University of London, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Health Sciences Education, Centre for Sports and Exercise, UK.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Center, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galanti
keywords: Accelerometer; Body Composition; Exercise as Prescription Therapy; Lifestyle