Contact: Marc Barnbaum 07 4923 2724 or m.barnbaum@cqu.edu.au
GPS and GIS combined to map activity levels
Health researchers monitoring activity levels are already using space-age tools such as GPS,
GIS, accelerometers and heart monitors, usually attached to armbands or lanyards.
Future projects will be able to use much smaller integrated systems to combine the data sets in
real-time.
That is according to CQUniversity's Dr Mitch Duncan, who is giving a free public talk on the
use of GPS in physical activity research this week (1pm Thursday, August 13) at
Rockhampton Campus (Building 33/Room G. 22).
Dr Duncan said that, rather than relying on people filling out surveys, the GPS monitors could
show exactly where people have travelled over a given period.
Matched with GIS (Geographic Information Systems) maps, researchers could gauge whether
people have encountered obstacles or disincentives to activity.
These obstacles could include traffic, a lack of footpaths, a lack of alternative pathways or poor
lighting.
"Using this technology we can obtain very rich data about the actual activity pathways and levels
of people," Dr Duncan said. ENDS
Details VIA Mitch Duncan at m.duncan@cqu.edu.au or 0400 927 359 or 4930 6977.
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