title: Validation of the AX3 triaxial accelerometer in older functionally impaired people.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studying physical activity (PA) trends in older populations and potential interventions for increasing PA is important, as PA is a factor in many age-related health outcomes such as chronic disease, premature mortality, physical function and injuries from falls. Objective measures of PA provide valuable information regarding the functional impact that ageing and chronic disease states may have on a patient's life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to test the validity of the AX3 PA monitor in an older population and to investigate whether the AX3 is a valid measure of distinct types or levels of activity in older people with a spectrum of mobility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Validity of the AX3 PA monitor was tested using the RT3 as a means of cross-validating the AX3. Study participants wore both the AX3 and the RT3 accelerometers, positioned on their non-dominant side, whilst completing a series of standardised everyday activities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although overall correlation was high (r > 0.8) between the RT3 and lower-limb-mounted AX3 counts, the correlation between the two devices was much stronger for walking activity than for any of the non-walking activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Activity counts at all lower limb positions for the AX3 and RT3 were highly correlated. Correlation between wrist-mounted AX3 counts and lower limb AX3 counts was only moderate, and worsened when walking aids were in use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate that the AX3 monitor is a valid tool, which might be used to objectively measure walking activity in older functionally impaired adults, a welcome finding for this under-researched area.
authors.affiliation: Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. c.z.clarke@dundee.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Clare L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.affiliation: Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Crighton
authors.affiliation: Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Goodbrand
authors.affiliation: Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: Marion E T
authors.initials: MET
authors.lastname: McMurdo
authors.affiliation: Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: Miles D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Witham
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Accelerometry; Ageing; Older adults; Physical activity; Public health