Using Wearable Activity Trackers to Monitor Physical Activity in Older Adults Undergoing Exercise Interventions for Falls
- Research Opportunity
- PhD students, Masters by Research
- Department / Centre
- Medicine
- Location
- Western Health
Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
---|---|---|---|
Dr David Scott | d.scott@unimelb.edu.au | Personal web page |
Co-supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
---|---|---|---|
Professor Gustavo Duque | gustavo.duque@unimelb.edu.au | Personal web page |
Summary Exercise targeting improvements in muscle strength and balance is beneficial for the prevention of falls in older adults. However, it is difficult to monitor physical activity levels in older adults who have been prescribed exercise training. Wearable activity trackers, such as Fitbit, may provide a useful tool for monitoring physical activity in this population.
Project Details
This study will examine three-month changes in physical activity, assessed by Fitbit devices, in older adults who have recently experienced a fall and who are completing either a personalised exercise program or usual care. We will determine whether fallers complete more physical activity when prescribed an exercise program compared to usual care, and whether higher levels of physical activity are associated with reduced risk factors for falls after three months. Students involved in this project will assist with recruitment of patients and data collection, including assessing changes in physical activity, physical performance and completing body composition scans.
School Research Themes
Research Opportunities
PhD students, Masters by Research
Students who are interested in joining this project will need to consider their elegibility as well as other requirements before contacting the supervisor of this research
Key Contact
For further information about this research, please contact a supervisor.
Department / Centre
Research Node
Western HealthMDHS Research library
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