Original Articles
Vol. 20 No. 2 (2025)
Integration of accelerometers, global positioning systems (GPS) and geographical information systems (GIS) for measuring physical activity
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Published: 21 October 2025
159
Views
70
Downloads
Authors
We tested the feasibility of integrating Actigraph accelerometers (AG), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to explore the physical activity in 26 healthy adults and 7 post-stroke individuals. The study subjects wore AG and GPS devices for 7 days. Feasibility outcomes were participants’ experience of using these devices and data quality regarding i) valid and synchronized data between the AG and GPS; ii) GPS data distribution among participants living in areas characterized by differently developed built environments; and iii) time and intensity of physical activity in and outside the home. There were >10 hours of synchronized data between the devices and the majority (94%) of participants, irrespective of group, did not report any problems using the AG or GPS. Individuals living in low-density built environment had a higher percentage of GPS points closer to the home compared to those living in areas with high-density built environment where GPS scattering occurred. Although methodological challenges regarding scattering and GPS signal loss in densely built environment in urban areas, the results support the overall feasibility of integrating AG, GPS and GIS to investigate physical activity behaviour.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
Citations
Bernmark E, Wiktorin C, 2002. A triaxial accelerometer for measuring arm movements. Appl Ergon 33:541–7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-6870(02)00072-8
Chen KY, Acra SA, Majchrzak K, Donahue CL, Baker L, Clemens L, Sun M, Buchowski MS, 2003. Predicting energy expenditure of physical activity using hip- and wrist-worn accelerometers. Diabetes Technol Ther 5:1023–33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/152091503322641088
Choi L, Liu Z, Matthews CE, Buchowski MS, 2011. Validation of accelerometer wear and nonwear time classification algorithm. Med Sci Sports Exerc 43:357–64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181ed61a3
Ekelund U, Tarp J, Steene-Johannessen J, Hansen BH, Jefferis B, Fagerland MW, Whincup P, Diaz KM, Hooker SP, Chernofsky A, Larson MG, Spartano N, Vasan RS, Dohrn IM, Hagstromer M, Edwardson C, Yates T, Shiroma E, Anderssen SA, Lee IM, 2019. Dose-response associations between accelerometry measured physical activity and sedentary time and all cause mortality: systematic review and harmonised meta-analysis. BMJ 366:l4570. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l4570
Elayoubi J, Haley WE, Nelson ME, Hueluer G, 2023. How social connection and engagement relate to functional limitations and depressive symptoms outcomes after stroke. Stroke 54:1830–38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.122.042386
Ellis T, Boudreau JK, DeAngelis TR, Brown LE, Cavanaugh JT, Earhart GM, Ford MP, Foreman KB, Dibble LE, 2013. Barriers to exercise in people with Parkinson disease. Phys Ther 93:628–36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20120279
English C, Healy GN, Coates A, Lewis L, Olds T, Bernhardt J, 2016. Sitting and activity time in people with stroke. Phys Ther 96:193–201. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20140522
Freedson PS, Melanson E, Sirard J, 1998. Calibration of the Computer Science and Applications, Inc. accelerometer. Med Sci Sports Exerc 30:777–81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-199805000-00021
Gunnes M, Indredavik B, Langhammer B, Lydersen S, Ihle-Hansen H, Dahl AE, Askim T, LAST Study Group, 2019. Associations Between Adherence to the Physical Activity and Exercise Program Applied in the LAST Study and Functional Recovery After Stroke. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 100:2251–59. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2019.04.023
Jankowska MM, Schipperijn J, Kerr J, 2015. A framework for using GPS data in physical activity and sedentary behavior studies. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 43:48–56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000035
Kempe T, Alfredsson A, Andersson B, Engberg L, Dahlstöm F, Lohasz G, 2010. the process of changing from local systems into SWEREF 99 – a challenge for Lantmäteriet and a great step for the municipalities. Available from: https://www.lantmateriet.se/globalassets/kartor-och-geografisk-information/gps-och-geodetisk-matning/publikationer/euref2010_paper_kempe_etal.pdf
Leuenberger K, Gonzenbach R, Wachter S, Luft A, Gassert R, 2017. A method to qualitatively assess arm use in stroke survivors in the home environment. Med Biol Eng Comput 55:141–50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-016-1496-7
Lonini L, Dai A, Shawen N, Simuni T, Poon C, Shimanovich L, Daeschler M, Ghaffari R, Rogers JA, Jayaraman A, 2018. Wearable sensors for Parkinson's disease: which data are worth collecting for training symptom detection models. NPJ Digit Med 1:64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-018-0071-z
Maddison R, Jiang Y, Vander Hoorn S, Exeter D, Ni Mhurchu C, Dorey E, 2010. Describing patterns of physical activity in adolescents using global positioning systems and accelerometry. Pediatr Exerc Sci 22:392–407. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.22.3.392
Maddison R, Ni Mhurchu C, 2009. Global positioning system: a new opportunity in physical activity measurement. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 6:73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-6-73
Marquet O, Hirsch JA, Kerr J, Jankowska MM, Mitchell J, Hart JE, Laden F, Hipp JA, James P, 2022. GPS-based activity space exposure to greenness and walkability is associated with increased accelerometer-based physical activity. Environ Int 165:107317. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107317
Matthews CE, Chen KY, Freedson PS, Buchowski MS, Beech BM, Pate RR, Troiano RP, 2008. Amount of time spent in sedentary behaviors in the United States, 2003–2004. Am J Epidemiol 167:875–81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwm390
McNeill LH, Kreuter MW, Subramanian SV, 2006. Social environment and physical activity: a review of concepts and evidence. Soc Sci Med 63:1011–22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.03.012
Migueles JH, Cadenas-Sanchez C, Ekelund U, Delisle Nystrom C, Mora-Gonzalez J, Lof M, Labayen I, Ruiz JR, Ortega FB, 2017. Accelerometer data collection and processing criteria to assess physical activity and other outcomes: a systematic review and practical considerations. Sports Med 47:1821–45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0716-0
OpenStreetMap, 2015. Planet OSM. Available from: https://planet.openstreetmap.org/
Panfilo G, Arias F, 2019. The Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Metrologia 56(4). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1681-7575/ab1e68
Rodriguez DA, Brown AL, Troped PJ, 2005. Portable global positioning units to complement accelerometry-based physical activity monitors. Med Sci Sports Exerc 37:S572–81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000185297.72328.ce
Rosli MH, Baharuldin MTH, Abdullah MNH, Fauzee MSO, Adam Y, Yaacob A, 2013. Coupling GPS with Accelerometer to Measure Physical Activity. Psu-Usm Int Conf Humanit Soc Sci 91:171–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.08.414
Schutz Y, Chambaz A, 1997. Could a satellite-based navigation system (GPS) be used to assess the physical activity of individuals on earth? Eur J Clin Nutr 51:338–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600403
Silfee VJ, Haughton CF, Jake-Schoffman DE, Lopez-Cepero A, May CN, Sreedhara M, Rosal MC, Lemon SC, 2018. Objective measurement of physical activity outcomes in lifestyle interventions among adults: A systematic review. Prev Med Rep 11:74–80. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.05.003
Troiano RP, Berrigan D, Dodd KW, Masse LC, Tilert T, McDowell M, 2008. Physical activity in the United States measured by accelerometer. Med Sci Sports Exerc 40:181–88. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e31815a51b3
Troped PJ, Saunders RP, Pate RR, Reininger B, Ureda JR, Thompson SJ, 2001. Associations between self-reported and objective physical environmental factors and use of a community rail-trail. Prev Med 32:191–200. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/pmed.2000.0788
Velux, 2018. Modern indoor living can be bad for your health: New YouGov survey for VELUX sheds light on risks of the “Indoor Generation.” Available from: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/modern-indoor-living-can-be-bad-for-your-health-new-yougov-survey-for-velux-sheds-light-on-risks-of-the-indoor-generation-300648499.html
Webber SC, Porter MM, 2009. Monitoring mobility in older adults using global positioning system (GPS) watches and accelerometers: a feasibility study. J Aging Phys Act 17:455–67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.17.4.455
WHO, 2020. WHO Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/336656/9789240015128-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
How to Cite
Integration of accelerometers, global positioning systems (GPS) and geographical information systems (GIS) for measuring physical activity. (2025). Geospatial Health, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/gh.2025.1382
Copyright (c) 2025 the Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
