Accelerometry and physical activity questionnaires - a systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to review accelerometer wear methods and correlations between accelerometry and physical activity questionnaire data, depending on participant characteristics.MethodsWe included 57 articles about physical activity measurement by accelerometry and questionnaires. Criteria were to have at least 100 participants of at least 18 years of age with manuscripts available in English. Accelerometer wear methods were compared. Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients between questionnaires and accelerometers and differences between genders, age categories, and body mass index (BMI) categories were assessed.ResultsIn most investigations, requested wear time was seven days during waking hours and devices were mostly attached on hips with waist belts. A minimum of four valid days with wear time of at least ten hours per day was required in most studies. Correlations (r = Pearson, ρ = Spearman) of total questionnaire scores against accelerometer measures across individual studies ranged from r = 0.08 to ρ = 0.58 (P < 0.001) for men and from r = −0.02 to r = 0.49 (P < 0.01) for women. Correlations for total physical activity among participants with ages ≤65 ranged from r = 0.04 to ρ = 0.47 (P < 0.001) and from r = 0.16 (P = 0.02) to r = 0.53 (P < 0.01) among the elderly (≥65 years). Few studies investigated stratification by BMI, with varying cut points and inconsistent results.ConclusionAccelerometers appear to provide slightly more consistent results in relation to self-reported physical activity among men. Nevertheless, due to overall limited consistency, different aspects measured by each method, and differences in the dimensions studied, it is advised that studies use both questionnaires and accelerometers to gain the most complete physical activity information.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3172-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Physical inactivity caused economic burden depends on regional cultural differences

“…A recent study from Switzerland reported that time spent physically active was 4.2 times higher according to self‐reported questionnaires than measured with accelerometers . Several other studies also showed substantial differences between self‐reported physical activity and objective measurements . The available RR estimates are also based on self‐reported activity levels.…”

“…36 Several other studies also showed substantial differences between selfreported physical activity and objective measurements. 37 The available RR estimates are also based on self-reported activity levels. Assuming a decreasing risk of disease for increasing physical activity, we would expect higher RR based on accelerometer measurements than based on selfreporting.…”

Examining accelerometer validity for estimating physical activity in pre‐schoolers during free‐living activity

“…This is because accelerometry provides the ability to objectively measure acceleration, from which PA can be estimated, in the same timeframe as traditional observation methods, with the addition of more detail of intensity than subjective PA recall diaries and self-report methods. 8 However, the use of accelerometry at pre-school age is currently limited by the lack of evidence indicating the validity of current accelerometer models and established cut points for determining PA intensity. There is considerable variation in the values of cut points provided for the same placement (eg, hip vs wrist) and epoch lengths for pre-schoolers.…”

Patterns of accelerometer‐based sedentary behavior and their association with cardiorespiratory fitness in adults

“…On the other hand, questionnaires capture different aspects of SB because they provide information on the context . For future studies, a combined use of questionnaires and accelerometers is recommended in order to receive the most comprehensive SB information . Keeping in mind that SB includes multiple domains, dimensions, and correlates, there remain many methodological challenges of measuring SB …”