Accelerometer-derived Physical Activity Intensities And Its Correlation With Cardiovascular Disease Risk In Factory Workers

Abstract

PURPOSE: Physical activity (PA) is known to be associated with the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet there data describing the objective measurement and correlates of this lifestyle behaviour in low-to-middle-income countries are limited. The aim of this present study was to describe accelerometer-derived PA patterns and determine the correlation of PA intensity with indicators of CVD risk in adult factory workers METHODS: Valid PA and cardiometabolic disease data were obtained from a sample of 87 adult workers (age (mean ± SD) 39.4 ± 10.1 years; body mass index (BMI) 29.6 ± 6.64; waist circumference 91.7 ± 12.5 cm; 59% female). Axivity AX3 wrist worn data were analysed using the R-package GGIR version 1.10-7 and characterized into four PA intensities (1: inactivity, 2: light, 3: moderate, 4: vigorous). Ten-year CVD risk and vascular age were determined using the Framingham algorithm. Correlates with PA intensities were determined using univariate analysis. RESULTS: More males (33%) than females (19%) were in the highest quartile of moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA). Females had lower MVPA (106 ± 52.6 min/day) than males (129 ± 49.6 min/day), but higher BMI (31.5 ± 6.96 kg/m2 vs 26.8 ± 4.99 kg/m2 respectively). Males had higher CVD risk score (10.4 ± 10.8) and higher vascular age (vascular age 49.4 ± 16.5 years) than their female counterparts (3.99 ± 5.02 CVD risk score and 43.4 ± 17.4 years respectively). CVD risk score (rho: 0.32, p=0.003) and vascular age (rho: 0.32, p=0.003) were positively correlated with light PA. MVPA was inversely correlated with vascular age (rho: -0.27, p=0.01) and waist circumference (rho: -0.22, p=0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Despite females having higher BMI and lower MVPA than males, CVD risk is higher in males. There were significant correlations between MVPA and lower vascular age, while light PA was correlated with higher CVD risk in factory workers.