Flexible, Affordable IC Solutions for User-Friendly Activity Monitors
From: Analog Devices - Healthcare ICs

Activity monitors are used for a variety of patient monitoring and health and
wellness applications. Elder care facilities monitor general activity levels
of residents, as well as any episodes such as a fall that would require a
quick response. Health and fitness enthusiasts track activity levels using
simple pedometers, as well as sophisticated exercise equipment that can
monitor vital signs such as heart rate and temperature, in addition to
physical activity level. These devices must be lightweight and easy to use
while maintaining accurate and reliable data. Battery life and system cost
are key considerations. 

Read the entire article at:
http://www.analog.com/static/imported-files/solutions_bulletins/medical08-09b/medical8.html

Links:
Detecting Human Falls with a 3-Axis Digital Accelerometer
http://www.analog.com/library/analogdialogue/archives/43-07/fall_detector.html
http://www.analog.com/library/analogdialogue/archives/43-07/fall_detector.pdf

Human Fall Detection Using New MEMS Accelerometer Technology
http://www.ecnmag.com/Articles/2009/12/human-fall-detection/