Methodological aspects for accelerometer-based assessment of physical activity in heart failure and health

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Arno Schmidt-Trucksäss¹  Fabian Schwendinger¹  Jonathan Wagner¹  Denis Infanger¹  Raphael Knaier² 

[1] Division of Sports and Exercise Medicine, Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Grosse Allee 6, 4052, Basel, Switzerland;Division of Sports and Exercise Medicine, Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Grosse Allee 6, 4052, Basel, Switzerland;Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA;Medical Chronobiology Program, Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA;

关键词: Activity monitor;    Sedentary behavior;    Leisure activities;    Wearing time;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12874-021-01350-6

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundFor valid accelerometer-assessed physical activity (PA) data, several methodological aspects should be considered. We aimed to 1) visualize the applicability of absolute accelerometer cut-offs to classify PA intensity, 2) verify recommendations to measure PA over 7 days by examining inter-day variability and reactivity, 3) examine seasonal differences in PA, and 4) recommend during which 10 h day period accelerometers should be worn to capture the most PA in patients with heart failure (HEART) and healthy individuals (HEALTH).MethodsFifty-six HEART (23% female; mean age 66 ± 13 years) and 299 HEALTH (51% female; mean age 54 ± 19 years) of the COmPLETE study wore accelerometers for 14 days. Aim 1 was analyzed descriptively. Key analyses were performed using linear mixed models.ResultsThe results yielded poor applicability of absolute cut-offs. The day of the week significantly affected PA in both groups. PA-reactivity was not present in either group. A seasonal influence on PA was only found in HEALTH. Large inter-individual variability in PA timing was present.ConclusionsOur data indicated that absolute cut-offs foster inaccuracies in both populations. In HEART, Sunday and four other days included in the analyses seem sufficient to estimate PA and the consideration of seasonal differences and reactivity seems not necessary. For healthy individuals, both weekend days plus four other days should be integrated into the analyses and seasonal differences should be considered. Due to substantial inter-individual variability in PA timing, accelerometers should be worn throughout waking time. These findings may improve future PA assessment.Trial registrationThe COmPLETE study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03986892).

【 授权许可】

CC BY