Patty Freedson, Ph.D., FACSM

Assessing Physical Activity Levels

Assessing energy expenditure from physical activity sounds easier than it is. Valid, reliable, easy activity assessment tools simply do not exist. It takes a skilled Exercise professional to accurately assess an individuals Physical activity level and expenditure. Patty Freedson, Ph.D., FACSM, Chair of the Kinesiology Department in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, comes on the show to discuss how to measure PA levels using wearable monitors and how to take that information to help an individual attain optimal physical activity levels based on the information in the assessment.

Patty Freedson is Professor and Chair of the Kinesiology Department in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. She teaches courses in Human Physiology, Pediatric Exercise Physiology, Physical Activity and Health. She has published over 90 papers and has lectured in the United States and abroad. She currently is principal investigator on 3 NIH grants on objective measurement of physical activity using wearable monitors. In 1996 she received the AAHPERD President's Award and in 2007 she received a University of Massachusetts Outstanding Accomplishments in Research and Creative Activity Award. She is a former president of the New England Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine, the Research Consortium and was a vice-president of American College of Sports Medicine. She is a fellow of the Research Consortium, American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education.

Melanie Cole, M.S.

8 / 3 / 2010