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Using accelerometers to measure physical activity in large-scale epidemiological studies: issues and challenges
1Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Epidemiology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, , Boston, Massachusetts USA.
British Journal of Sports Medicine
|December 4, 2013
Summary
Objective assessments of physical activity and sedentary behavior are crucial for understanding their health impacts. Large-scale studies using accelerometers will provide vital data on light-intensity activity and sedentary behavior
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Biomedical Research
Background:
- Current aerobic activity guidelines recommend ≥150 min/week of moderate-intensity activity, linked to reduced chronic disease incidence.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the health benefits of light-intensity physical activity and sedentary behavior.
- Previous research is hindered by imprecise assessment methods and cross-sectional designs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the health effects of light-intensity physical activity and sedentary behavior.
- To illustrate challenges in collecting and analyzing large-scale objective physical activity data.
- To use the Women's Health Study (WHS) as a case study for sensor-based data collection.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing accelerometers for objective measurement of physical activity and sedentary behavior.
- Implementing longitudinal, large-scale epidemiological study designs.
- Collecting 7 days of accelerometer data from approximately 18,000 women aged ≥62 years in the WHS.
Main Results:
- As of August 31, 2013, 11,590 women in the WHS have provided some accelerometer data.
- Logistical challenges in data collection have been identified.
- The WHS experience offers insights for data reduction and analysis in similar studies.
Conclusions:
- Large-scale epidemiological studies with objective assessments are essential for understanding health effects.
- Future research will yield important data on light-intensity activity and sedentary behavior.
- Objective data collection methods are key to advancing knowledge in physical activity and health research.
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