Portable Physical Activity Monitors for Measuring Energy Metabolism in ROTC Cadets
Abstract
The announcement of the Research Program in Technologies for Metabolic Monitoring (DAMD17-BAA-TMM02) called for "new, novel and unconventional approaches to the field of metabolic monitoring". Given the significance of physical activity and energy expenditure (EE) to health for both military and civilian populations, we proposed a feasibility study to achieve the following goals: 1) to develop and validate non-invasive portable techniques in monitoring detailed physical activity and accurately predict EE; and 2) to determine specific physical training related energy costs and physiological responses in ROTC cadets. The novel methodology we used for this study was an accelerometry array portable monitor we developed collaboratively with a small startup company (Minisun LLC). We designed a two-stage data collection periods, expanding one academic year (Fall-Spring). Despite several delays and problems encountered, we have completed the major components of the studies we had proposed. We demonstrated the accuracy of this instrument in predicting EE in the ROTC cadets in well-controlled laboratory environments while performing various exercises, suggesting its great potentials to be a tool for the detailed assessments of physical activity, energy metabolism, and physiological responses for various applications in the military and general populations. However, practical improvements, such as a developing a suit with build-in sensors and wires, and analytical prediction model optimizations should be our next steps to guide the future technical advancements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA428587
Entities
People
- Kong Y. Chen
Organizations
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center