Measuring physical activity in toddlers

Physical Activity Measurement in Toddlers

NIH-funded research Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11237478

This study is looking at how little kids under 2 years old develop their habits for being active, and it’s creating a new tool to better track their movement so we can learn how to help them stay healthy and active from a young age.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-11237478 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how physical activity habits develop in toddlers aged 2 years and younger. It aims to address the current limitations in measuring physical activity levels in this age group by developing a new machine learning algorithm that processes accelerometer data more accurately. By improving the accuracy of physical activity measurement, the study seeks to provide insights into the physical activity behaviors of young children. This could help identify when and how to encourage healthier activity levels from an early age.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are toddlers aged 1 to 2 years who are being monitored for their physical activity levels.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 2 years or those with significant physical disabilities may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for promoting physical activity in toddlers, potentially improving their long-term health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using machine learning for activity recognition in older children, suggesting this approach may also be effective for toddlers.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.