An Example Analysis for a Gender-inclusive Approach in Sport and Exercise Science Research using Fitbit Outcomes from...

Area of Science:

• Sport and Exercise Science
• Public Health
• Data Science

Background:

• Prevalence studies using wearable devices are crucial for understanding health disparities in physical activity.
• Existing research often limits analysis to a binary definition of sex, potentially overlooking diverse experiences.
• Investigating physical activity beyond the sex-gender binary is essential for comprehensive health insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate how researchers can analyze wearable device data beyond the traditional sex-gender binary.
• To investigate differences in physical activity metrics across various gender identities.
• To highlight the need for gender-inclusive approaches in sport and exercise science.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of the All of Us Research Program dataset.
• Categorization of self-identified gender into Cisgender Female, Additional Options, Non-binary, Transgender, and Cisgender Male.
• Analysis of Fitbit data (active calories, steps, sedentary minutes, very active minutes) using Shapiro-Wilk, Brown-Forsyth, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in physical activity metrics were found among gender groups (p < 0.001).
• Cisgender males exhibited higher active calories, steps, and very active minutes compared to cisgender females and non-binary individuals.
• No significant differences were observed among other gender groups studied.

Conclusions:

• Physical activity patterns differ across gender identities, extending beyond binary classifications.
• Findings underscore the necessity of gender-inclusive research and nuanced interpretations in sport and exercise science.
• Tailored recommendations are needed to address systemic gaps and support diverse populations in health and exercise behaviors.