Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | [b] Faculty of Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Tasuku Terada, 1-052 Li Ka Shing Center for Health Research Innovation, Physical Activity and Diabetes Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2H9, Canada. Tel.: +1 780 492 9020; E-mail:tasuku@ualberta.ca
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Quantification of sedentary time still remains a
challenge. OBJECTIVES: This study examined: 1) whether a multisensory activity
monitor could accurately measure sedentary activities and discriminate them
from light intensity activities; and 2) the validity of activity log diary
(AL) in estimating sedentary time using the monitor as a criterion measure. METHODS: Thirty healthy individuals performed sedentary and light
intensity activities in a laboratory while being equipped with a metabolic
measurement cart (MMC) and the multisensory monitor. Subsequently, a subset
of 19 participants completed AL while wearing the monitor for three days
under free-living conditions. RESULTS: Metabolic equivalents (METs) measured by the multisensory
monitor during sedentary activities were similar to those measured by MMC
and were significantly lower than light-intensity activities (p< 0.001).
Relative criterion validity of AL assessed by Pearson's correlation
coefficient was high (r= 0.68, p< 0.01). Absolute criterion validity examined
by Bland-Altman plots showed small mean difference between AL and the
monitor (36.9 minutes ⋅ day - 1) with its limits of agreement
ranging from -103.3 to 177.1 minutes ⋅ day - 1. CONCLUSION: The multisensory monitor is capable of accurately
measuring sedentary activities and distinguishing them from light-intensity
activities. Compared to the multisensory monitor, our results showed that AL
provides valid estimate of overall sedentary time.
