Jun 23, 2026
Open Field Activity Monitoring Collection Protocol
- Kaitlin Southern1,
- Jacob Griffith1,
- Kyle Allen1
- 1University of Florida
- OrthoBME Lab Rodent Behavior Protocols
Protocol Citation: Kaitlin Southern, Jacob Griffith, Kyle Allen 2026. Open Field Activity Monitoring Collection Protocol. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.q26g7qbeqlwz/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: June 22, 2026
Last Modified: June 23, 2026
Protocol Integer ID: 319607
Keywords: open-field activity monitoring, preclinical models, centroid tracking, open field activity monitoring collection protocol, activity data in rodent, activity data, acrylic activity monitor, using acrylic activity monitor, activity bout, locomotor metric, rodent, protocol detail, webcam, robust behavioral readout, providing robust behavioral readout, protocol, recording workflow, organized video export, studio video capture, video export
Funders Acknowledgements:
National Institute of Health
Grant ID: UC2AR082196
Abstract
This protocol details a standardized procedure for collecting open‑field activity data in rodents using acrylic activity monitors, webcams, and OBS Studio video capture. It outlines daily cleaning, camera mounting and calibration, and recording workflows, culminating in organized video export and data logging. The method yields high‑resolution, time‑stamped locomotor metrics (activity bouts, velocity, distance travelled) that can be quantified automatically, providing robust behavioral readouts.
Attachments
Materials
1. Peroxigard
2. Paper Towels
3. Animal Enclosures
4. Cameras
5. Computer
6. Mounting materials (i.e., zip ties, tape, etc.)
7. Rack
8. DC Lights
Safety warnings
Before data is collected, animals should NOT be acclimated to the activity monitor cages. This is done to avoid training effects.
Ethics statement
All methods have been approved by the University of Florida Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
Cleaning the Activity Monitors
Spray Peroxigard on a paper towel and wipe the arena floor to remove debris.
NOTE: Do not use ethanol to clean the acrylic as it will destroy it.
Dispose of soiled towels in trash can.
At the beginning of each study or as needed, acrylic pieces can be detached, cleaned thoroughly with soap and water, dried, and reattached.
Activity Monitor Set Up
Place the activity monitor cages on a rack, elevated from the ground, where a camera can be hung from the rack level above it.
Note: see ‘Camera mounting’ instructions below.
Turn on the gait arena lights and/or LED DC lights. Ensure there are no other AC lights on in the room (i.e., overhead lights).
Camera Mounting/Setup
Mount cameras to the top rack, directly centered and leveled above each activity monitor cage (one camera above each cage). There is also an option to mount the camera to acrylic lids, located in the lab dissection room.
Note: The height of the camera is dependent on the length of the cage. The camera's height should be greater than the cage's diagonal length to ensure the full cage is visible.
Note: Cameras can be mounted using zip ties, clamps, or other immobilizing tools (i.e., tape).
Plug in all USB cameras to the computer, corresponding to the number of activity monitors running. A green light on the cameras indicates they are on.
Note: There is a limit to the number of cameras that can be recorded on one computer. Check the computer qualifications to avoid this issue. If needed, use the powered USB hub to connect cameras.
Note: Tape wires down to the floor to avoid tripping hazards. There are USB extension cords located in the lab if needed.
Open the OBS Studio Software on the computer.
Ensure the cameras are registered and active in the system.
Note: This will be seen in the ‘Sources’ widget. If cameras do not show up follow these instructions:
i. Click on each Camera, select deactivate and then activate to reset. This can be done for both cameras.
ii. Unplug cameras from computer and plug back in. Also try rotating between USB ports.
iii. Delete the cameras from Sources by clicking the trash can. Add the camera back by selecting the + sign.
On OBS Studio screen ensure the full bottom surface of the activity monitor is in frame and cameras are focused. If not, the height needs to be adjusted.
Note: Height can be adjusted by moving the height of the rack levels or shortening the length of the camera cord.
Double check to see if the full cage is visible.
Data Collection
Grab the cages from the animal housing room.
Acclimate animals to room for 30 minutes in their cages before beginning.
If you have not done so already, open the OBS Studio software on the computer.
Ensure all cameras are connected located in the ‘Sources’ widget.
First, record calvid videos by placing a ruler in each arena.
Click “Start Recording’ in the ‘Controls’ widget. Record for 5 seconds. After the trial time has ended, stop the recording with ‘Stop Recording’ button. Take one video for each arena.
Place one rat in each activity monitor cage.
Start/Stop the Recordings at your desired time.
To record for a specific amount of time, click Tools > Output Timer. Input the desired time of recording after ‘Stop recording after:’ and click Start to begin recording.
Remove the rats from the cages.
All videos will automatically be saved in the ‘Videos’ folder on the local computer. Find the files and name them StudyName_Group_Cohort_Activity (i.e., ‘REJOIN_24moM_Cohort3_Activity’).
Suggested: For each rat, set up your notebook to record time placed in the activity monitoring cage, which cage (LEFT or RIGHT) and total time in the cage. This information is critical. On a separate sheet, record rat number, trial number and file name.
Export all videos for that day to your external hard drive.
Export Videos as .MP4 files.
Open OBS Studio
Click File > Remux
Click the three dots and choose the files you want to convert.
Click Remux and wait for each file to finish.
Shut Down Procedures
Save folder for that day on computer to external hard drive.
Turn on overhead lights in the room.
Unplug arena lights.
Unplug cameras from the computer.
Safely remove hard drive and shut down computer.