Acta Univ. Palacki. Olomuc., Gymn. 2009 39(4): 41-51

The application of formal concept analysis and the importance of scale selection in the evaluation of physical activity data in relation to the body mass index

Erik Sigmund1, Jiří Zacpal2, Dagmar Sigmundová1
1 Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University, Olomouc
2 Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc

Background: Research confirms that physical activity (PA) is irreplaceable in a healthy and physically active lifestyle. One of the key research questions is what the optimal level of everyday PA for health is and how it should be quantified and interpreted. Formal concept analysis is one possible way of how to assess and describe the level of PA as related to personal data.

Objective: The main goal of this study was to introduce the method of Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) using data from the ANEWS questionnaire and data from the objective monitoring of a number of steps using the YAMAX SW-701 pedometer. A further aim was to adopt the most appropriate method within the FCA.

Methods: A random sample of 273 males aged 18-69 from selected regional centers participated in the study.

Results: The example of daily steps allows for the demonstration of how important it is to select a scale in FCA data analysis. It is better to use an ordinal scale for the daily number of steps (in our example); because, in so doing, we create the attributes that can be ordered (a lower number of steps is also insufficient).

Conclusions: A rough scale produces easier lattice with the general scope of the observed attributes. The smoothing of the scale produces more difficult lattice and makes for more difficult analyses, but gives more detailed results. FCA requires more expertise from a researcher than do "classical" testing statistics, but gives us deeper insight into the examination of the problem.

Keywords: Nominal and ordinal scale, fuzzy, aggregated object, lattice, steps, men

Prepublished online: March 26, 2010; Published: September 1, 2009  Show citation

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Sigmund, E., Zacpal, J., & Sigmundová, D. (2009). The application of formal concept analysis and the importance of scale selection in the evaluation of physical activity data in relation to the body mass index. Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica, 39(4), 41-51
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