Device-measured Sedentary Behaviour Research Articles

Is education level, as a proxy for socio-economic position, related to device-measured and self-reported sedentary behavior in European older adults? A cross-sectional study from the SITLESS project.

Sedentary behavior (SB) is a determinant of health in older adult people. Educational level is a primary driver of health disparities and is demonstrated to be a reliable measure of socioeconomic position. We aimed to examine the associations between educational level and self-reported along with device-measured SB in older adults living in Europe and the association of mentally active and passive SB domains with the educational level and gender in these associations. The design is cross-sectional. One thousand three hundred and sixty participants aged 65 and over (75.3±6.3 years old, 61.8% women) participated. Inclusion criteria were scored with the Short Physical Performance Battery. Variables that describe the sample were assessed with an interview, and device-measured SB was assessed with an accelerometer. SB was assessed with the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire and an accelerometer. Multiple linear regression models were used to study the association between the level of education and SB. Participants self-reported an average of 7.82 (SD: 3.02) daily waking hours of SB during weekend days, and the average of device-measured SB was 11.39 (1.23) h. Total mentally active SB (weekdays and weekends) was associated with the education level (p < 0.000). Participants were more sedentary during the week than during weekends, regardless of level of education (p < 0.000). Education level was significantly associated with self-reported mean hours per day in 46SB (p = 0.000; R=0.026; 95%CI). Low education level in older adults is associated with self-reported SB but not with objective SB measures.

Sedentary behavior and risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in United States adults with hypertension.

Growing evidence has implicated sedentary behavior is associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, independent of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Contrary to national physical activity guidelines, reductions in sedentary behavior are not promoted as a lifestyle modification in hypertensive adults. This may be in part because of a paucity of evidence demonstrating that sedentary behavior confers morbidity and mortality risk in hypertensive adults. To examine the association between device-measured sedentary behavior and risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality and in hypertensive adults. Data for this analysis come from the 2003 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative survey of US adults. Sedentary behavior and MVPA were assessed with an ActiGraph 7164 accelerometer. Hypertension was classified as blood pressure at least 140/≥90 mmHg or antihypertensive medication use. Median follow-up was 14.5 years. After adjusting for covariates and MVPA, greater time spent in sedentary behavior was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality [quartile 1: REF, quartile 2: hazard ratio = 1.41 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.83-2.38], quartile 3: hazard ratio = 1.25 (95% CI 0.81-1.94), quartile 4: hazard ratio = 2.14 (95% CI 1.41-3.24); P trend <0.001]. Greater sedentary behavior was also associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality [quartile 1: REF: quartile 2: hazard ratio = 1.13 (95% CI 0.83-1.52), quartile 3: hazard ratio = 1.33 (95% CI 1.00-1.78), quartile 4: hazard ratio = 2.06 (95% CI 1.60, 2.64); P trend <0.001]. Greater sedentary behavior is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality among US adults with hypertension. These findings suggest reductions in sedentary behavior should be considered to reduce mortality risk in hypertensive adults.

Adolescent sedentary behavior and body composition in early adulthood: results from a cohort study.

This study investigates the cross-sectional and prospective associations between accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior and body composition from adolescence to early adulthood. Data from the Santiago Longitudinal Study were analyzed (n = 212). Sedentary time was measured at age 16 years, and body composition (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio [WHtR], fat mass percentage, and lean mass percentage) was examined at both age 16 and 23 years. Adjusted linear regression models estimated associations between sedentary time, sedentary bout duration, and body composition, overall and by sex. In all analyses, mean sedentary bout duration was not associated with body composition. In cross-sectional analyses, more sedentary time during adolescence was significantly associated with lower BMI, waist circumference, WHtR, fat mass percentage, and higher lean mass percentage (p < 0.05). One standard deviation increase in daily sedentary time was prospectively associated with lower body mass index (β = -1.22 kg/m2, 95% CI: -2.02, -0.42), waist circumference (β = -2.39 cm, 95% CI: -4.03, -0.75), and WHtR (β = -0.014, 95% CI: -0.024, -0.004). Sedentary time at 16 years was not associated with changes in body composition from 16 to 23 years. Sedentary behavior in adolescence is not adversely associated with body composition profiles in early adulthood. Little is known about the effect of device-measured sedentary behavior on body composition during the transition from adolescence to early adulthood. Among participants in the Santiago Longitudinal Study, more accelerometer-measured sedentary time during adolescence was associated with lower BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio in early adulthood though point estimates were generally small in magnitude. Sedentary behavior in adolescence was not detrimentally associated with healthy body composition profiles in early adulthood. Public health interventions aimed at reducing obesity rates could consider other behaviors, such as physical activity and healthy diet, instead of sitting time.

Abstract P327: Device-Measured Sedentary Behavior and Risk of 1-Year Hospital Readmission After Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: Patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have an increased risk of a readmission during the first year after discharge; necessitating a need to identify modifiable therapeutic targets to improve outcomes. While moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) has been a hallmark of secondary prevention efforts to prevent hospital readmission, sedentary behavior (SB) has emerged as a potentially unique and clinically important aspect of the physical activity profile. Yet, little is known regarding whether SB is associated with hospital readmission in ACS patients independent from or in addition to MVPA levels. Purpose: To examine the association between device-measured SB and risk of 1-year hospital readmission among patients evaluated for ACS, independent of MVPA. Methods: Patients (n=603, 47.8% female, 62.5±13.0 yrs) evaluated in the emergency department for ACS were fitted with a GENEActiv accelerometer in-hospital and were instructed to wear the device on their non-dominant wrist continuously in-hospital and for 30 days post-discharge. Hospital readmissions were ascertained by proactively searching medical records for any possible hospitalizations and by contacting participants or their closest contacts at 1- and 12-months follow-up; with supporting documentation secured from hospital medical records. Results: Over 1-year follow-up, 281 (46.6%) patients were readmitted. SB was associated with increased risk of 1-year hospital readmission after adjusting for socio-demographic factors, comorbidities, and disease severity indicators [HR per 1-hour per day increase in SB= 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.18]. The association remained significant after further adjusting for MVPA [HR per 1-hour per day increase in SB= 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.22]. In joint association analyses, high sedentary time in combination with low MVPA was associated with the greatest risk of 1-year hospital readmission in a fully adjusted model (HR: 2.18; 95%: CI: 1.44, 3.31) compared to the referent group (low SB/high MVPA). However, even among participants with higher levels of MVPA; high sedentary time was associated with a greater risk of 1-year re-hospitalization (HR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.27). For participants with low MVPA and low sedentary time, no significant association was observed (HR: 1.37; 95% CI: 0.84, 2.21). Conclusions: SB was associated with an increased risk of 1-year hospital readmission among patients evaluated for ACS. This increased risk was independent of MVPA and was not eliminated by high levels of MVPA. Implications of this study suggest that reducing SB should be considered as a modifiable therapeutic target in addition to MVPA to improve outcomes in ACS survivors.

Time-Varying Associations Between Device-Based and Ecological Momentary Assessment-Reported Sedentary Behaviors and the Concurrent Affective States Among Adolescents: Proof-of-Concept Study.

BackgroundPrevious studies on affective state–sedentary behavior (SB) associations have not accounted for their potentially time-varying nature and have used inconsistent SB measurement modalities. We investigated whether the strength of the associations between affective states and SB varied as a function of the time of day and by SB measurement modality (device-measured SB vs ecological momentary assessment–reported screen-based SB) in youth.ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish a proof of concept that SB–affective state associations may not be static during the day. In addition, we aimed to inform the methodology of future work, which may need to model associations as functions of the time of day and carefully consider how SB is operationalized or measured.MethodsA total of 15 adolescents (age: mean 13.07, SD 1.03 years; 10/15, 67% female; 6/15, 40% Hispanic; 10/15, 67% healthy weight) wore thigh-mounted activPAL accelerometers and simultaneously reported their screen-based SBs and concurrent positive and negative affective states via ecological momentary assessment for 7 to 14 days (N=636 occasions). Time-varying effect models (varying slopes) examined how each measure of SB was associated with concurrent affective states from 7 AM to 8 PM.ResultsTime-varying effect model plots revealed that these associations varied in strength throughout the day. Specifically, device-based SB was related to greater concurrent negative affect only after approximately 5 PM and was unrelated to concurrent positive affect. Screen-based SB was related to greater concurrent negative affect only from 7 AM to approximately 9 AM. This was also related to greater concurrent positive affect from 7 AM to approximately 9:30 AM and from approximately 3 PM to approximately 7 PM.ConclusionsWe provide preliminary evidence to suggest that future confirmatory studies investigating the SB–affective state relationship should consider the time-varying nature of these associations and SB measurement modality. There may be critical time windows when specific types of SBs co-occur with affect, suggesting that interventions may need tailoring to the time of day and type of SB if future studies using similar methodologies can replicate our findings.

Do device-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior differ by depression symptom status in persons with multiple sclerosis?

BackgroundDepression is highly prevalent and impactful in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). There are data indicating that the volume of physical activity behavior differs by depression symptom status in MS, yet less is known about the volume of sedentary behavior and its relationship with depression. We further know little about physical activity patterns and sedentary behavior and depression in MS. ObjectivesThis study examined differences in the volume (i.e., minutes/day) and pattern (i.e., bouts/day or bout length) of device-measured sedentary behavior and physical activity as a function of depression symptom status in persons with MS. MethodsThe sample of adults with MS (N=441) completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and wore a waist-mounted ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer during waking hours for 7 days. Participants were divided into subgroups of elevated (n=127) or non-elevated (n=314) depression symptoms based on a cut-point for the HADS scores (i.e., 8+ as indicative of elevated depressive symptoms). We examined the effect of depression group status differences on volume and pattern of sedentary behavior and light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) physical activity between subgroups using multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) and then multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) controlling for demographic/clinical variables that differed between the elevated and non-elevated depression groups. ResultsResults of the MANOVA indicated an overall difference between subgroups in the volume, but not pattern, of physical activity and sedentary behavior. The non-elevated depression group had a significantly greater amount of steps/day (mean [M]=4584.3, standard deviation [SD]=2821.3), than the elevated depression group ([M]=3729.6, [SD]=2576.3, F=8.7; p=.003). Results of the MANCOVA revealed there was no statistically significant difference between the elevated and non-elevated depression groups in measures of volume of physical activity, and the difference in steps/day became non-significant F(1,438)= 2.13, p=.146), after controlling for disability, age, disease duration, and educations years. ConclusionsThis study observed no differences in sedentary behavior and physical activity as a function of depression symptom status in persons with MS, yet there was a difference in steps/day initially. Results demonstrated that when disability, age, disease duration, and years of education are included in the MANCOVA, the difference in depression groups is no longer significant. This suggests that steps/day could be an important target of health promotion interventions among persons with MS who have higher disability and elevated depression symptoms.

Levels and Correlates of Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior in Young Children: SUNRISE Study Results from 19 Countries.

ABSTRACTPurposeThere is a paucity of global data on sedentary behavior during early childhood. The purpose of this study was to examine how device-measured sedentary behavior in young children differed across geographically, economically, and sociodemographically diverse populations, in an international sample.MethodsThis multinational, cross-sectional study included data from 1071 children 3–5 yr old from 19 countries, collected between 2018 and 2020 (pre-COVID). Sedentary behavior was measured for three consecutive days using activPAL accelerometers. Sedentary time, sedentary fragmentation, and seated transport duration were calculated. Linear mixed models were used to examine the differences in sedentary behavior variables between sex, country-level income groups, urban/rural settings, and population density.ResultsChildren spent 56% (7.4 h) of their waking time sedentary. The longest average bout duration was 81.1 ± 45.4 min, and an average of 61.1 ± 50.1 min·d−1 was spent in seated transport. Children from upper-middle–income and high-income countries spent a greater proportion of the day sedentary, accrued more sedentary bouts, had shorter breaks between sedentary bouts, and spent significantly more time in seated transport, compared with children from low-income and lower-middle–income countries. Sex and urban/rural residential setting were not associated with any outcomes. Higher population density was associated with several higher sedentary behavior measures.ConclusionsThese data advance our understanding of young children’s sedentary behavior patterns globally. Country income levels and population density appear to be stronger drivers of the observed differences, than sex or rural/urban residential setting.

Association of Self-Reported and Device-Measured Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity with Health-Related Quality of Life among European Older Adults.

Human movement behaviours such as physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) during waking time have a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older adults. In this study, we aimed to analyse the association between self-reported and device-measured SB and PA with HRQoL in a cohort of community-dwelling older adults from four European countries. A subsample of 1193 participants from the SITLESS trial (61% women and 75.1 ± 6.2 years old) were included in the analysis. The association between self-reported and objective measures of SB and PA with HRQoL were quantified using Spearman’s Rho coefficients. The strength of the associations between self-reported and device-measured PA and SB with self-rated HRQoL (mental composite score, MCS; physical composite score, PCS) were assessed through multivariate multiple regression analysis. Self-reported and device-measured PA and SB levels showed significant but poor associations with PCS (p < 0.05). The association with MCS was only significant but poor with self-reported light PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that both self-reported and device-measured PA of all intensities were positively and significantly associated, while SB was negatively and significantly associated with the PCS of the SF-12.

Physical activity and self-reported sleep quality in adults with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundThere is a fourfold higher prevalence of sleep problems in multiple sclerosis (MS) than the general population. ObjectiveThis study examined cross-sectional associations among device-measured sedentary and physical activity behavior with perceived sleep quality in adults with MS. MethodsAdults with MS (N = 290) completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and wore an accelerometer for seven days providing a measure of time spent in sedentary behavior, light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) using MS-specific cut-points. We conducted multiple linear regression analysis to identify the independent contributions of variables for explaining PSQI scores. ResultsThe overall model accounted for 2% of the variance in global PSQI scores, and MVPA was significantly and independently associated with global PSQI scores (β = ─0.123; p = 0.045; partial r = ─0.118) when accounting for average wear time, sedentary behavior, and time spent in LPA. There were no other significant associations with PSQI global score. ConclusionsOur results suggest that time spent in MVPA may be associated with better sleep quality in adults with MS, but adults with MS do not spend sufficient time in physical activity. Researchers should evaluate these relationships in longitudinal study designs and behavior change interventions, as physical activity may provide a unique opportunity to improve sleep quality outcomes.

Device-measured sedentary behavior in oldest old adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sedentary behavior contributes to health decline and frailty in older adults, especially the oldest old. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize evidence describing the volume of device-measured sedentary behavior and factors that influence sedentary behavior in community-dwelling adults aged 80 and older. Four electronic databases were searched in August 2018; the search was updated in September 2019 and December 2020. Twenty-one articles representing 16 unique datasets from six countries met inclusion criteria. Various devices and data processing methods were used to measure sedentary behavior; the most common device was the ActiGraph accelerometer. Sedentary time during the waking day ranged from 7.6 to 13.4h/day. Studies using similar measurement methods (hip-worn ActiGraph with uniaxial cut-point<100 counts per minute) had a weighted mean of 10.6h/day. Subgroup analyses revealed that male gender and age≥85 may contribute to increased sedentary behavior. Only seven individual articles examined factors that influence sedentary behavior in the 80 and older age group; older age, male gender, non-Hispanic white race/ethnicity, social disadvantage, and declining cognitive function (in men) were associated with increased sedentary behavior. In conclusion, the oldest old are highly sedentary and little is known about factors that influence their sedentary behavior.

Levels and Correlates of Objectively Measured Sedentary Behaviour In Young Children: Sunrise Pilot Study Results from 19 Countries

Background: There is a paucity of data from low- and middle-income countries on sedentary behaviour (SB) levels and patterns during early childhood. The purpose of this study was to examine how device-measured SB in young children differed across geographically, economically, and socio-demographically diverse populations, in an international sample. Methods: This multinational, cross-sectional pilot study included data from 1071 3–5-year-old children from 19 countries, collected between 2018 and 2020 (pre-COIVID). SB was measured for three consecutive days using activPAL accelerometers. Sedentary time, sedentary fragmentation and seated transport duration were calculated using PAL Analysis Algorithms and a custom-made analysis program. Linear mixed models were used to examine the differences in SB variables between sex, country-level income groups, caregiver education levels, urban/rural settings, and population density. Findings: Children spent 56% (7.4 hrs) of their waking time sedentary, and 42% accrued at least one sedentary bout/day lasting ≥60 min. The longest average bout duration was 81.1±45.4 min, and an average of 61.1±50.1 min/day was spent in seated transport. Children from upper-middle-income and high-income countries spent a greater proportion of the day sedentary, accrued more sedentary bouts, had shorter breaks between sedentary bouts, and spent significantly more time in seated transport, than children from low- and lower-middle-income countries. Few differences were found in SB patterns between urban/rural settings and caregiver education levels within each country-level income group, while multiple significant differences were found when comparing between country-level income groups. Higher population density was correlated with several higher SB measures. Interpretation: These data advance our understanding of young children’s SB patterns globally and the influences of country income, urban/rural setting, caregiver education levels, and population density. Country income levels and population density appear to be stronger drivers of the observed differences, than sex, rural or urban residential setting or caregiver educational attainment. Funding: American Council on Exercise, USA Beijing Health System High Level Talents Training Project, China 13 Biomedical Research Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh Canadian Institutes of Health Research Planning and Dissemination Grant Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico - CNPq Research Department of National Planning and Monitoring, PNG Government Early Start, University of Wollongong, Australia Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa Global Challenges Program, University of Wollongong, Australia Harry Crossley Foundation, South Africa National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia NIH - International Research Training Grant Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Vietnam Research University Grant (GUP), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Sasakawa Sports Research Grant, Sasakawa Sports Foundation, Japan Stella de Silva Research Grant, Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, Sri Lanka The DST-NRF Centre for Excellence in Human Development at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa The International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Pioneers Program Declaration of Interest: The authors have no competing financial or personal interests to declare. Ethical Approval: Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Wollongong, Australia (ref: 2018/044) and the appropriate ethics committee(s) in each country.

Device-measured sedentary behaviour and anxiety symptoms during adolescence: a 6-year prospective cohort study.

Sedentary behaviour is potentially a modifiable risk factor for anxiety disorders, a major source of global disability that typically starts during adolescence. This is the first prospective study of associations between repeated, device-based measures of sedentary behaviour and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. A UK cohort with 4257 adolescents aged 12 at baseline (56% female). Main exposures were sedentary behaviour and physical activity measured using accelerometers for 7-days at ages 12, 14, and 16. Primary outcome was anxiety symptom scores at age 18 from a Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised. We used adjusted negative binomial regression and iso-temporal substitution methods to analyse the data. We found a positive association between sedentary behaviour at ages 12, 14, and 16, with anxiety symptoms at age 18, independent of total physical activity volume. Theoretically replacing an hour of daily sedentary behaviour for light activity at ages 12, 14, and 16, was associated with lower anxiety symptoms by age 18 by 15.9% (95% CI 8.7-22.4), 12.1% (95% CI 3.4-20.1), and 14.7% (95% CI 4-24.2), respectively. Whereas, theoretically replacing an hour of sedentary behaviour with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was not associated with differences in anxiety symptoms. These results were robust to a series of sensitivity analyses. Sedentary behaviour is a possible risk factor for increasing anxiety symptoms during adolescence, independent of total physical activity volume. Instead of focusing on moderate-to-vigorous activity, replacing daily sedentary behaviour with light activity during adolescence could be a more suitable method of reducing future anxiety symptoms.

Both sedentary time and physical activity are associated with cardiometabolic health in overweight adults in a 1\xa0month accelerometer measurement

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of cardiometabolic health markers with device-measured sedentary behavior (SB) duration and different intensities of physical activity (PA) among overweight working-aged adults with low self-reported PA levels. This cross-sectional analysis included 144 subjects (42 men) with mean age of 57 (SD 6.5) years and mean BMI of 31.7 (SD 4) kg/m2. SB and standing time, breaks in sedentary time, light PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were measured for 4 consecutive weeks (mean 25 days, SD 4) with hip-worn accelerometers. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin, HbA1c, triglycerides and total cholesterol, HDL and LDL were measured from venous blood samples. HOMA-IR index was calculated as a surrogate of insulin resistance. The associations were examined using linear models. LPA, MVPA, and daily steps associated with better insulin sensitivity and favorable plasma lipid profile, when adjusted for age, sex and BMI, whereas greater proportion of SB associated with insulin resistance and unfavorable lipid profile. As all PA intensities associated with better cardiometabolic health, the total daily duration of PA may be more relevant than intensity in maintaining metabolic health in overweight adults, if the current guidelines for PA are not met.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03101228, registered 05/04/2017, https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03101228.

Childhood Obesity and Device-Measured Sedentary Behavior: An Instrumental Variable Analysis of 3,864 Mother-Offspring Pairs.

Intergenerational data on mother-offspring pairs were utilized in an instrumental variable analysis to examine the longitudinal association between BMI and sedentary behavior. The sample included 3,864 mother-offspring pairs from the 1970 British Cohort Study. Height and weight were recorded in mothers (age 31 [5.4] years) and offspring (age 10 years) and repeated in offspring during adulthood. Offspring provided objective data on sedentary behavior (7-day thigh-worn activPAL) in adulthood at age 46 to 47 years. Maternal BMI, the instrumental variable, was associated with offspring BMI at age 10 (change per kg/m2 , β = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.12), satisfying a key assumption of instrumental variable analyses. Offspring (change per kg/m2 , β = 0.010; 95% CI: -0.02 to 0.03 h/d) and maternal BMI (β = 0.017; 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.03 h/d) was related to offspring sedentary time, suggestive of a causal impact of BMI on sedentary behavior (two-stage least squares analysis, β = 0.18 [SE 0.08], P = 0.015). For moderate-vigorous physical activity, there were associations with offspring BMI (β = -0.010; 95% CI: -0.017 to -0.004) and maternal BMI (β = -0.007; 95% CI: -0.010 to -0.003), with evidence for causality (two-stage least squares analysis, β = -0.060 [SE 0.02], P = 0.001). There is strong evidence for a causal pathway linking childhood obesity to greater sedentary behavior.

Device-measured sedentary behavior and physical activity in older adults differ by demographic and health-related factors

BackgroundOur aim was to describe and explore older adults’ device-measured sedentary behavior and physical activity (PA) pattern by sex, age, education, marital status, body mass index, and physical function; and to assess agreement regarding fulfillment of PA recommendations, i.e. 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA), between device-measured and self-reported PA.MethodWe included 656 older adults (64% women), aged 66, 81–87 or ≥ 90 years from a Swedish population-based cohort study. The activPAL3 accelerometer provided information on sedentary behavior (sedentary time, sedentary bouts, sit-to-stand transitions) and PA. Stepping ≥100 steps/min was considered MVPA; standing and stepping < 100 steps/min were considered light-intensity PA (LPA). Self-reported PA was compared with min/week in MVPA and steps/day.ResultsOn average, 60% of wear time was spent sedentary, 36% in LPA, and 4% in MVPA. Relative to men, women, had significantly (p < 0.05) more sit-to-stand transitions, spent 33 min/day less sedentary and 27 min/day more in LPA, and were more likely to report meeting PA recommendations, but showed no difference in steps/day, MVPA, or sedentary bout duration. Older age was associated with more sedentary time, lower MVPA and fewer steps/day. The prevalence of meeting PA recommendations was 59% device-measured and 88% by self-report with limited agreement between methods (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.21, Spearman’s rho = 0.28). Age differences were much more pronounced with objective measures than by self-report.ConclusionsWe found significant sex differences in sedentary behavior and time in LPA in older adults, but not in MVPA, in contrast to previous findings. Sedentary time increased with age, with small differences in accumulation pattern. MVPA time was lower with older age, obesity, and poor physical function. A majority of the participants > 80 years did not meet the PA recommendations. Given the strong relationships between sedentary behavior, PA and health in older adults, programs are needed to address these behaviors. Agreement between device-measured and self-reported fulfillment of PA recommendations was limited. Device-based measurement adds value to PA studies, providing richer and different data than self-report.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Device-Measured Sedentary Behaviour are Associated with Sickness Absence in Office Workers.

Physical activity reduces the risk of several noncommunicable diseases, and a number of studies have found self-reported physical activity to be associated with sickness absence. The aim of this study was to examine if cardiorespiratory fitness, device-measured physical activity, and sedentary behaviour were associated with sickness absence among office workers. Participants were recruited from two Swedish companies. Data on sickness absence (frequency and duration) and covariates were collected via questionnaires. Physical activity pattern was assessed using ActiGraph and activPAL, and fitness was estimated from submaximal cycle ergometry. The sample consisted of 159 office workers (67% women, aged 43 ± 8 years). Higher cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly associated with a lower odds ratio (OR) for both sickness absence duration (OR = 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87–0.96) and frequency (OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.90–0.97). Sedentary time was positively associated with higher odds of sickness absence frequency (OR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.99–1.08). No associations were found for physical activity at any intensity level and sickness absence. Higher sickness absence was found among office workers with low cardiorespiratory fitness and more daily time spent sedentary. In contrast to reports using self-reported physical activity, device-measured physical activity was not associated with sickness absence.

Device-Measured Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity and Aerobic Fitness Are Independent Correlates of Cognitive Performance in Healthy Middle-Aged Adults—Results from the SCAPIS Pilot Study

High aerobic fitness, more moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and less sedentary behavior (SED) have all been suggested to promote cognitive functions, but it is unclear whether they are independent predictors of specific cognitive domains. This study aimed to investigate to what extent aerobic fitness MVPA and SED are independently associated with cognitive performance among middle-aged Swedish adults. We acquired device-based measures of aerobic fitness, cognitive performance and percent daily time spent in MVPA and SED in Swedish adults (n = 216; 54–66 years old). Aerobic fitness was associated with better performance at one out of two tests of speed/attention and one out of four tests of executive attention, and with worse performance at one of seven tests of memory. Increasing %MVPA was associated with better performance at one out of seven tests of memory and two out of three tests of verbal ability, whereas increasing %SED was associated with better performance at all four tests of executive attention and four out of seven tests of memory. These findings suggest that aerobic fitness, %MVPA and %SED are partly independent correlates of cognitive performance. To fully understand the association between SED and performance at several tests of cognitive function, future investigations might attempt to investigate intellectually engaging SED (such as reading books) separately from mentally undemanding SED (such as watching TV).

Sociodemographic and clinical correlates of device-measured sedentary behaviour in multiple sclerosis

Purpose This study examined sociodemographic and clinical variables as correlates of device-measured volume and pattern of sedentary behaviour in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Materials and methods Participants were recruited through a standardised invitation letter distributed among 1000 persons randomly selected from the North American Research Committee on MS registry. Those who volunteered wore an accelerometer for 7 d and provided sociodemographic and clinical information. Results There were 233 persons with MS who were included in the analyses. Linear regression analyses indicated that age and MS type explained significant variance in total sedentary time per day as well as number of breaks in sedentary time. Only disability status explained significant variance in sedentary bout length, whereas age explained significant variance in both number of long sedentary bouts per day. Both age and disability status explained significant variance total time spent in long sedentary bouts per day. Conclusions Persons of older age, progressive MS, and higher disability status spend prolonged, uninterrupted periods of time sedentary. Such results highlight the need for targeted interventions in sub-populations of MS that reduce time spent sedentary and break up the pattern of sedentary behaviour. Implications for Rehabilitation Sedentary behaviour is highly prevalent in multiple sclerosis and may be associated with comorbid conditions. The majority of research on sedentary behaviour in multiple sclerosis has been derived from self-report instruments that only measure the volume of sitting time per day. This study indicates that persons with multiple sclerosis spend a significant amount of time sedentary, and those who are older, have progressive multiple sclerosis, and have higher disability status spend prolonged, uninterrupted periods of time sedentary. Such results highlight the need for targeted behavioural interventions in these sub-populations of multiple sclerosis to reduce time spent sedentary and break the pattern of sedentary behaviour to manage its consequences.

Social-cognitive theory variables as correlates of sedentary behavior in multiple sclerosis: Preliminary evidence

BackgroundPersons with multiple sclerosis(MS) engage in substantially more sedentary behavior than adults from the general population. ObjectiveHypothesis: This preliminary, cross-sectional study examined social-cognitive theory(SCT) variables as correlates of sedentary behavior in MS. We hypothesized that scores from SCT variables for sedentary behavior change would correlate with scores from self-reported and device-measured volumes of sedentary behavior in MS. We further hypothesized that the correlations would be stronger for self-reported than device-measured sedentary behavior, and that the primary correlate of sedentary behavior would be self-efficacy. MethodsWe recruited participants through a random sample of 1,000 persons enrolled in the North American Research Committee on MS registry, and 275 of the 296 persons who underwent screening volunteered for the study. Participants wore an ActiGraph accelerometer on a belt around the waist for measuring minutes per day of sedentary behavior. Participants further completed a newly-created, study-specific measure of SCT variables for reducing sedentary behavior(i.e., self-efficacy, outcome expectations, barriers, goal setting, & planning) and the abbreviated International Physical Activity Questionnaire as a self-report measure of sitting time. ResultsSelf-reported sedentary behavior was associated with self-efficacy(r = −0.47), goal setting(r = −0.31), planning(r = −0.35), and barriers(r = 0.39) for reducing sedentary behavior. Device-measured sedentary behavior was associated with self-efficacy(r = −0.32), goal setting(r = −0.21), planning(r = −0.18), and barriers(r = 0.20). Self-efficacy(β = −0.29), barriers(β = 0.26), and planning(β = −0.24) independently explained variance in self-reported sedentary behavior(R2 = 0.33). Only self-efficacy(β = −0.32) independently explained variance in device-measured sedentary behavior(R2 = 0.10). ConclusionSCT constructs might be reasonable targets of a behavioral intervention for reducing sedentary behavior in MS.

Does total volume of physical activity matter more than pattern for onset of CVD? A prospective cohort study of older British men

AimsWith increasing age, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour levels increase, as does cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence. We investigate how device-measured sedentary behaviour and physical activity (PA) are related to CVD onset in men aged 70+; whether the total volume of activity is more important than pattern. Methods and resultsProspective population-based cohort study of men recruited from 24 UK General Practices in 1978–80. In 2010–12, 3137 survivors were invited to complete questionnaires and wear an Actigraph GT3x accelerometer for 7 days. PA intensity was categorised as sedentary, light and moderate to vigorous (MVPA). Men were followed up for Myocardial Infarction, stroke and heart failure (ICD9 410–414, 430–438 and 428) morbidity and mortality from 2010 to 12 to June 2016. Hazard Ratios (HRs) for incident Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) were estimated. 1528/3137 (49%) men had sufficient accelerometer data. 254 men with pre-existing CVD were excluded. Participants' mean age was 78.4 (range 71–92) years. After median 4.9 years follow-up, 122 first CVD events occurred in 1181 men (22.7/1000 person-years) with complete data. For each additional 30 min in sedentary behaviour, light PA,10 min in MVPA, or 1000 steps/day, HRs for CVD were 1.09(95%CI 1.00, 1.19), 0.94(0.85, 1.04), 0.88(0.81, 0.96) and 0.86(0.78 to 0.95) respectively, adjusted for measurement-related factors, socio-demographics, health behaviours and disability. HRs for accumulating 150 min/week MVPA in bouts ≥1 min and bouts ≥10 min were 0.47(0.32 to 0.69), and 0.49(0.25, 0.98). ConclusionsIn older men, high volume of steps or MVPA rather than MVPA bouts was associated with reduced CVD risk.