Category: Sensors

Validating Accelerometers for the Assessment of Body Position and Sedentary Behavior

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There is growing evidence that sedentary behavior is a risk factor for mental health. Activity sensors play an important role in the investigation of sedentary behavior.
But how exactly do they measure sedentary activity, and where is the best place to measure it?
The following table gives a short overview of the validity of different activity sensors. Further information can be found in the article: Validating Accelerometers for the Assessment of Body Position and Sedentary Behavior.

Aktivitätssensoren und ihre Validität im Überblick

Parameter

Wearing place

Move 4

ActiGraph

ActiPal

Body Position
(sitting/lying)

thigh

hip

K=.97

K=.78

-

K=.67

K=.85

-

Sedentary Behaviour

thigh

hip

K=.95

K=.84

-

K=.69

K=.90

-

Giurgiu M. et al. (2019). Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour.

The importance of accelerometry for recording physical activity

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The article „Assessing physical behavior through accelerometry – State of the science, best practices and future directions“ (Buchartz et al., 2020) provides an up-to-date overview of the possibilities of accelerometry and makes recommendations for its use.
Modern accelerometers provide researchers with the ability to collect objective data regarding the intensity and duration of physical activity over a period ranging from several days to several weeks and months.

If your research revolves around physical activity, we’ll show you how our activity sensors accurately record physical activity in everyday life.

Move 4 und LightMove 4 - Perfect tools for capturing physical activity

The activity sensor Move 4 from movisens allows a continuous, objective recording of physical activity for up to 4 weeks. From the measurement parameters (3-axis acceleration, rotation rate and barometric pressure) we can calculate a multitude of categories and output parameters such as Physical Activity (PA), Sedentary Behaviour, Sleep, Energy Expenditure and Physical Activity Metrics.
The integrated pressure sensor improves both activity classification and the accuracy of energy expenditure estimation. For example, we can distinguish between normal walking and stair climbing.
A further advantage presented by the LightMove 4 model is an integrated light sensor. The data recorded by the light sensor allows the detection of the type of ambient light and also helps detect the intention to sleep.

All Output Parameters at a glance

Category

Output parameter

Live Analysis

Physical Activity Metrics

MAI (MovementAcceleration Intensity)

BFEN (Band-pass Filtered Euclidean Norm)

HFEN (High-pass Filtered Euclidean Norm)

EN (Euclidian Norm)

ENMO (Euclidian Norm Minus One)

HFENP (High-pass Filtered Euclidean Norm plus)

EEAC (EeacMean)

MAD (Mean Amplitude Deviation)

ZC (Zero Crossing)

PIM (Proportional Integrating Measure)

AWC (ActiWatch4Counts)

yes

no

no

no

no

no

no

no

no

no

no

no

no

Phsical Activity

Activity Level

Activity Class

Energy Expenditure

MET

Steps

Body Position

yes

yes

no

yes

yes

yes

Sedentary Behaviour

Sedentary

yes

Sleep

Sleep/Wake

no

Wear Detection

Worn/Not Worn

no

The movisens team provides development expertise for researcher specific questions. We’re always happy to discuss your research project and see if we can tailor a solution for you.
Given repeated requests, we’ve integrated an IR Temperature sensor in our activity sensor Move 4 and our ECG and activity sensor EcgMove 4. This researcher specific customisation allows a continuous recording of the participant’s skin temperature.

Further Measurement Parameters

  • Internal Temperature Sensor -> Body Temperature
  • IR-Temperature-Sensor -> Skin Temperature
  • Ambient Ligth Sensor -> Light Intensity (red, green, blue, clear, IR)
  • ECG-Amplifier -> ECG (1 Channel, 16 bit, 1024 Hz)
  • EDA-Amplifier -> Skin Conductance, Elektrodermale Activity, SNS activation

Other Sensors/ Recording Options

Sensors for measuring skin temperature

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Our customer oriented development serves as a keystone for our success in ambulatory assessment and mobile monitoring technologies. Combined with our expertise in sensor technology, we regularly implement custom solutions for researchers.

movisens track record of implementing customer wishes takes another step forward. Due to researcher requests, we've integrated an infrared temperature sensor into our mobile physiological sensors the Move 4, and the EcgMove 4. This enables the continuous acquisition of skin temperature in addition to the wide array of other signals recorded.

Not only in times of corona is the measurement of skin temperature an important procedure, also in many other fields, important knowledge can be gained with the use of skin temperature; as the following example application illustrates.

movisens´ integrated IR-Sensors in use:

  • Innovative Project for Domomedicine Deployment: The PiCADo Pilot Project
  • A novel algorithm for detecting human circadian rhythms using a thoracic temperature sensor
  • Relevance of a Mobile Internet Platform for Capturing Inter- and Intrasubject Variabilities in Circadian Coordination During Daily Routine: Pilot Study

Learn more about the Product Customization that movisens offers.

New SensorManager Update Available

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The newest movisens SensorManager included a whole string of new features.

  • Multi-Part-Measurement: If the battery level of the sensor is getting lower than 10%, the measurement will be paused. The LED stops flashing. You can connect the sensor to a USB charger and recharge the battery. If you disconnect the sensor from charger after battery level is higher than 30%, the measurement will be restarted.
  • No measurement stop:  If you reconnect the sensor after starting a measurement again with a PC, the measurement won’t be stopped.
  • Checking battery level: If the battery level of the sensor is less the 10 % when clicking on the „Start Recording“ button, the following message appears.
  • Proband configuration: The personal information of the proband can be entered before beginning the measurement. 

    • Read more about the SensorManager...

    SensorManager Update

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    The newest movisens SensorManager provides all the resources for you to optimize your movisens sensor. In addition to the standard functionality, we've included the ability to update your sensors to their latest firmware version, an essential upgrade for those who'd like to take advantage of the sensor triggering capability of movisensXS.

    The 4th Sensor Generation

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    New Design - New Features - New Applications

    Finally we're able to unveil the new sensor generation. We're starting the launch of series 4 with the Move 4 and the EcgMove 4. With the 4th generation, movisens took into account the numerous requirements of researchers, implementing their wishes and also further increasing the quality of the sensors.


    Curious? Then click here to see more!

    New sensors available soon!

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    On the 12th of July the newest generation of our sensors shall emerge from the lab. So, save that date in your calendar and be one of the first who benefits from the newest developments and upgrades to our sensor range!

    You can't wait until the 12th of July?

    Click here to request an advanced preview

    Seminars at movisens

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    Thanks to our recent relocation we now have the space to grow our team, and also to offer training here at our own premises! Our new office space allows us to offer seminars in the field of ambulatory assessment/mobile monitoring to researchers and research groups. This allows research teams to undertake basic training in the best methods for gathering physiological and/or experience sampling data and provides a great opportunity to clarify all the important issues they may face in their upcoming study. The training includes both a theoretical and practical component.

    If you or your research group would like to attend a training seminar, please contact us at info@movisens.com. We will announce upcoming dates for seminars here on our news page, and via our newsletter which you can subscribe to below. On average we send only one newsletter per month, so it shouldn't hurt your inbox too much!