| Summary: | Introduction: Promoting physical activity and restricting sedentary behaviour have been shown to be important in the prevention and management of chronic health disorders in older adults. Despite this, there is limited objective information concerning the free-living physical activity of older adults, particularly those in hospital. Purpose: This research was designed to investigate the possibility of monitoring the physical activity and sedentary behaviour of older adults (aged:::: 65 years) in hospital with a view to using the technique to explore activity patterns, and, to examine if the technique could be used to evaluate an intervention designed to modifY activity levels. Method: The activPALTM activity monitor was selected to quantifY free-living physical activity. A series of four studies established the criterion related validity and reliability of the monitor as a measure of postural physical activity in healthy adults, community-dwelling older adults and older adults in hospital. The patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviour of 70 older adults (aged:::: 65 years) in 4 different locations were quantified and described. The groups comprised three patient groups: two from rehabilitation wards (city and rural) and one from a city day hospital; and a healthy community-based group. Subsequently, the measurement technique was used to evaluate the free-living activity of a hospital-based group following an intervention designed to change activity behaviour. ResultslDiscussion: Significant differences in upright time were found between the ward, day hospital and community groups. Differences in the manner in which the groups accumulated upright and sedentary time were found with the ward-based groups sedentary for prolonged periods and upright for very short times. Following the intervention, the measurement technique revealed no difference in mean daily upright time, however, the pattern in which upright time was accumulated did change.
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