am4

.am4ActiLife Motion Analysis File v4

ActiGraph · 2017

Developer
ActiGraph
Category
category.data
MIME Type
application/vnd.activlife.motionanalysis
First Released
2017
Open Format
No
File Signature
Not publicly documented or readily identifiable
At a Glance
.am4
ActiLife Motion Analysis File v4

An .am4 file stores raw, time-stamped accelerometer data from ActiGraph devices for motion and activity analysis.

Reviewed on June 18, 2026
Compression
Compressed
Transparency
No
Editability
Low
Best for
Raw sensor data

Key Features

  • Stores raw, high-resolution accelerometer data.
  • Includes time-stamps for precise event correlation.
  • Contains device and collection metadata.
  • Optimized for scientific motion and activity analysis.

Best For

  • Longitudinal studies requiring detailed activity data.
  • Research focused on objective physical activity measurement.
  • Analyzing sleep patterns with high granularity.
  • Collecting data for clinical validation of interventions.

Less Ideal For

  • General data sharing due to proprietary nature.
  • Storing images, audio, or video content.
  • Applications requiring simple text-based data logs.
  • Use cases where open-source or widely compatible formats are needed.

Common Use Cases

  • Analyzing physical activity levels in research studies.
  • Assessing sleep quality and duration.
  • Monitoring patient rehabilitation and recovery.
  • Studying biomechanics and movement patterns.
  • Capturing detailed data for objective health assessments.

How to Open It

  1. Open .am4 files exclusively with ActiLife software provided by ActiGraph.
  2. Ensure you have a licensed version of ActiLife to access and process the data.
  3. The software allows for data export into more common formats for further analysis.
  4. Consult ActiGraph documentation for specific import and analysis procedures within ActiLife.

What is a .am4 file?

The .am4 file format is proprietary and used by ActiGraph's ActiLife software for storing raw accelerometer data collected from their wearable devices. This data is crucial for researchers and clinicians studying human movement, sleep patterns, and physical activity levels. It captures detailed, time-stamped motion information, allowing for sophisticated analysis of activity metrics. The format is designed to be robust and capture high-resolution data efficiently for scientific applications.

Programs That Open .am4 Files

PlatformProgram
WindowsActiLifePaidOfficial
macOSActiLifePaidOfficial

How to Convert .am4 Files

FormatMethod
.CSVActiLife Software
.EDFActiLife Software

Common Problems with .am4 Files

⚠️ Cannot open .am4 files directly with common software.
Use ActiLife software, as .am4 is a proprietary format specific to ActiGraph devices and their analysis suite.
⚠️ Data interpretation is complex.
Refer to ActiGraph's documentation and consider consulting with experts in wearable sensor data analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an .am4 file?

An .am4 file is a proprietary data file used by ActiGraph's ActiLife software to store raw accelerometer data from their wearable motion sensors.

Can I open .am4 files with any program?

No, .am4 files can only be opened and processed using ActiGraph's official ActiLife software. They are not compatible with general-purpose data viewers.

What kind of data is stored in an .am4 file?

.am4 files store high-resolution, time-stamped raw data from the device's accelerometers, along with associated metadata.

Technical Details

The .am4 file is a binary format that contains raw, un-processed sensor readings from ActiGraph's accelerometers. It typically includes time-stamped x, y, and z-axis data points, device metadata, and potentially event markers. The data is usually collected at a high sampling rate for detailed analysis of movement.

Did You Know?

The 'am' in .am4 likely stands for 'ActiMotion', referring to the motion capture capabilities.
This format is primarily for scientific and clinical research, not general consumer use.

Security Information

As a proprietary binary format intended for scientific data, .am4 files are generally considered safe. However, always ensure you download ActiLife software from the official ActiGraph website to avoid malware.

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