Our understanding of older peoples' physical activity in relation to recommendations is based on flawed models that don't account for an individual's ability to move. Methods based on movement speed or volume may underestimate the actual load experienced by an older person. At the University of Jyväskylä we are using wearable technology and AI to examine physical activity and internal load in older people. Initial data collection in 2017-2018 was done with 75-, 80- and 85-year-old people, and involved physical activity surveillance for one week using two wearable sensors (accelerometer and heart rate monitor). In the upcoming project phase we will repeat the activity assessments and follow participant health until 2025. We will develop a new method for quantifying physical activity in older people, which takes into account individual differences in physical functioning, and will make it possible to develop individualised physical activity recommendations.

2021

2026