Review of physical activity measurement using accelerometers in older adults: Considerations for research design and conduct

My research topic is to examine the effects of different exercise types on sleep in people with insomnia.
The purpose the review article was written was to provide researchers with a guide to the most commonly used devices used to measure physical activity. The article talked about the different types of accelerometers available today as well as parameters with which to use these various monitors. These parameters varied depending on the device but included the number of days the device should be worn and where the monitors should be placed. The article included very informative charts that compared these various devices. The article also provided some information to the reader on choosing the right measurement device for their particular study.
This article was very helpful in giving me information about the Actical, the device I plan on using in my study to help measure physical activity.
I was also given the IRB packet for a CBTi study at Fort Hood funded by a DOD (Department of Defense) grant by Dr.Taylor. Of particular interest to me is the methods section of the packet because it is similar in design to the one I plan on doing.

Murphy, S.L. (2009). Review of physical activity measurement using accelerometers in older adults: considerations for research design and conduct. Preventive Medicine, 48, 108-114.

Physcological Benefits of Exercise

My research topic is to examine the effects of different exercise types on sleep in people with insomnia.

Studies have shown that people who exercise show physical and psychological benefits (e.g., reduced stress, anxiety, and depression). No studies have identified the minimal intensity needed to affect these changes. This study examined short and long-term effects of different intensity levels of exercise (low vs. moderate) on perceived level of depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. Research indicates that the physical and psychological benefits begin rather quickly and at low levels of intensity. Little research is available on low intensity compared to high intensity workouts.

With an increase in sedentary lifestyle in America and a decrease in the ability and desire to dedicate a large amount of time to physical fitness, it is important to continue to educate individuals about the positive effects of even the smallest amount of exercise. Often people may believe that they must spend hours at a gym or complete grueling workouts to see any physical or psychological benefits. These beliefs might build a mental wall of resistance toward working out which, in turn, may increase the likelihood of a sedentary lifestyle. This study suggests that even low intensity exercise produces psychological benefits and those short-term benefits are significantly greater than those who participate in moderate exercise intensity. This is especially important to emphasize to those individuals who may only be able to participate in low intensity exercise due to specific physical or medical limitations (e.g., those with COPD, arthritis, physical injury, pregnancy, gait disturbances, etc.). 

This article helped me to understand some of the psychological benefits of exercise on physical well being. It is very applicable to my topic and will help me to better understand the relationship between exercise and sleep; in particular how exercise can affect insomniacs with issues of anxiety and depression.

(obtained from an unpublished pilot study given to me by Dr.Taylor)

Prevalence of Insomnia and Its Psychosocial Correlates among College Students in Hong Kong

This study examined the prevalence of insomnia and its psychosocial correlates among college students in Hong Kong. A total of 529 Hong Kong college students participated in the study. The participants completed a self-reported questionnaire (included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality

Index (PSQI)) that indicated whether or not they had insomnia based on their scores. Results indicated that over 65% of the participants were insomniacs. Analyses revealed that optimism, stress, and depression significantly predicted insomnia in the participants.

These results suggest that insomnia is very common among Hong Kong college students and the insomnia was associated with other psychosocial factors. This study provided preliminary data on sleep quality and risk factors for insomnia, which may be used to guide sleep hygiene promotion and intervention among college students.

This study was a perfect example of how a usual sleep study in conducted. The research process in the field of sleep medicine is unique in that it uses questionnaires to help diagnose sleep conditions. I want to use questionnaires in my study as well as supplement them with polysomnography tests to better diagnose the sleeping habits of the individuals. I believe this study will be very useful to me because they used a college student population which I plan on doing myself.

Sing, C. Y., & Wong, W. S. (2010). Prevalence of Insomnia and Its Psychosocial Correlates among College Students in Hong Kong. Journal of American College Health, 59(3), 174-182. doi:10.1080/07448481.2010.497829