Physical Activity and Inactivity in an Adult Population Assessed by Accelerometry

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Evels and pattern of physical activity and inactivity in an adult population sample using an objective method. Methods: In total, 1114 adults (56% women, 45 ± 15 yr), randomly recruited from the Swedish population across a year, used an accelerometer (Actigraph MTI) for seven consecutive days. Inactivity was defined as < 100 counts per minute, and cutoff values for moderate and vigorous activity were 1952-5724 and > 5724 counts per minute, respectively. Average intensity was measured as counts per minute. Results: The adults were active in at least moderate-intensity activity for a median (intraquartile range) of 31 (18-47) min·d−1. Fifty-two percent accumulated 30 min·d−1 of at least moderate-intensity physical activity. Only 1% achieved those 30 min from three or more bouts of at least 10 min. Average intensity, moderate and vigorous physical activity was lower with higher age or body mass index (BMI). Men spent more time than women in moderate and vigorous physical activity, but there was no gender difference in average intensity. The variation in inactivity could not be explained by gender, age, or BMI. Conclusion: Objectively obtained estimates of physical activity yielded lower values and a different activity pattern compared with those obtained by commonly used self-reports. This highlights the need to better understand the nature and measurement issues of health-enhancing physical activity of adults....

This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit: