Light‐intensity physical activity derived from count or activity types is differently associated with adiposity markers

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to compare the association between count‐ and activity type–based definitions of light‐intensity physical activity (LIPA) and adiposity markers. Methods A total of 516 Danish workers participated in 1‐4 days of hip‐ and thigh‐based accelerometer measurements. Three definitions of average daily time spent in LIPA were derived: LIPA (1) time spent between 100 and 2029 CPM, LIPA (2) time spent moving and slow walking, and LIPA (3) time spent moving, walking slow, and standing. Adiposity markers were body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and waist circumference. The cross‐sectional association between the three LIPA definitions and adiposity markers was analyzed and interpreted using compositional regression models followed by reallocation of time between LIPA, moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary behavior (SB), respectively. Results The geometric means of daily time (min/day) spent in LIPA 1, LIPA 2, and LIPA 3 were 326, 102, and 274, respectively. We found the direction and strength of the association between the relative importance of daily time spent in LIPA and the adiposity markers to depend on the LIPA definition. For example, reallocating 30 minutes from MVPA to LIPA 1, LIPA 2 and LIPA 3 were associated with a 2.97 (95% CI: 0.68; 5.27), −0.71 (95% CI: −1.43; 0.02), and −0.45 (95% CI: −1.01; 0.11) difference in BMI, respectively. Conclusion Our findings highlight the need for caution when comparing results from studies using different definitions of LIPA.

Dose–response associations of Monitor‐Independent Movement Summary with health‐related fitness in youth

“…38 Other research showed that patterns of light movement had inconsistent associations with adiposity in adolescents. 37 The results of current study support these findings as linear spline models showed that stronger associations with fitness test performance were observed within the middle of the MIMS' distributions, with nonlinear patterns observed toward lower MIMS values that potentially represented less movement accumulated during the day. Additionally, Peak 60-min and Peak 30-min MIMS had stronger associations with tests of muscular strength and endurance.…”

“…Given the results of this study, public health messaging should emphasize the importance of increased movement in children and adolescents to reap the greatest health benefits. Although some movement has shown potential benefit across the physical and mental health domains in adults, the associations between smaller amounts of movement in youth with health outcomes are inconsistent across studies 37 . Results from this study still support a mostly linear association between higher movement volume and more favorable performances on health‐related fitness tests, especially when accumulation of MIMS falls within the middle of its distribution (middle percentiles).…”

“…Although some movement has shown potential benefit across the physical and mental health domains in adults, the associations between smaller amounts of movement in youth with health outcomes are inconsistent across studies. 37 Results from this study still support a mostly linear association between higher movement volume and more favorable performances on health-related fitness tests, especially when accumulation of MIMS falls within the middle of its distribution (middle percentiles). Thus, this study supports that "more is better" concept of movement using device-based monitor-independent summary metrics that may have better generalizability compared to other studies that examined dose-response associations in youth.…”

“…Previous work with high‐resolution accelerometer data that derived a spectrum of movement intensities showed that the associations between movement intensity and discrimination between intervention groups were mostly linear but with nonlinear patterns at the tails of the intensity spectrum 38 . Other research showed that patterns of light movement had inconsistent associations with adiposity in adolescents 37 . The results of current study support these findings as linear spline models showed that stronger associations with fitness test performance were observed within the middle of the MIMS' distributions, with nonlinear patterns observed toward lower MIMS values that potentially represented less movement accumulated during the day.…”

Validation of physical activity levels from shank-placed Axivity AX6 accelerometers in older adults

“…Examples of SB include sitting, sleeping, and other activities with very little body movement [ 13 ]. LPA can be exemplified by activities such as casual walking and light household chores [ 14 ], MPA can include activities such as brisk walking, cycling at a moderate pace, or light jogging. Lastly, VPA would include activities such as running and sprinting [ 15 ].…”