Assessment of daily physical activity levels of severely disabled persons using heart rate series.

Daily physical activity levels of severely disabled persons were assessed by means of a statistical analysis of their heart rate during a 24-h period. A non-Gaussian probability density function of the heart rate was calculated and separated into two levels of heart rate distributions, i.e. a relatively lower heart rate for basic daily activity and a relatively higher heart rate relating to vigorous activity. Disabled persons with low ambulatory ability showed daily activity levels similar to normal subjects in the length of time and the level of the heart rate. Their daily activity satisfied their needs for maintaining good health. However, more prolonged vigorous activity in daily living was necessary to improve cardiovascular fitness. For severely disabled persons without ambulatory ability, almost all of the heart rates during daily activity were categorized into the lower heart rate distribution. Their low level of physical activity may lead to a serious decrease in cardiovascular function with its attendant risk of cardiopulmonary disease.