Physical Activity Behaviors of a Middle-Age South African Cohort as Determined by Integrated Hip and Thigh Accelerometry

• Published in: Medicine and science in sports and exercise 2022-09, Vol.54 (9), p.1493-1505
• Main Authors: MICKLESFIELD, LISA K., WESTGATE, KATE, SMITH, ANTONIA, KUFE, CLEMENT N., MENDHAM, AMY E., LINDSAY, TIM, WIJNDAELE, KATRIEN, GOEDECKE, JULIA H., BRAGE, SOREN
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Epidemiology
• ISSN: 0195-9131; 1530-0315
• DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002940

PURPOSEDescriptive studies of objectively measured physical activity behaviors in African populations are rare. We developed a method of combining hip and thigh accelerometery signals to quantify and describe physical behaviors in middle-age South African men and women. METHODSWe integrated signals from two triaxial accelerometers worn simultaneously during free-living, in a subsample of the Middle-age Soweto Cohort ( n = 794; mean (SD) age, 53.7 (6.3) yr). Acceleration time series from the accelerometers were combined and movement-related acceleration was derived using Euclidean Norm Minus One (in milligrams), to determine total movement volume (mean Euclidean Norm Minus One) and nonmovement time (85 m g ); thigh pitch angle and a sleep diary were used to divide nonmovement time (in minutes per day) into sleep, awake sitting/lying, and standing. Sociodemographic factors were self-reported, and weight and height were measured. RESULTSMean (SD) wear time was 128 (48) h. Movement volume was 15.0 (6.5) m g for men and 12.2 (3.4) m g for women. Men spent more time in MVPA and sitting/lying, whereas women spent more time standing. Age was inversely associated with movement volume, MVPA, and LPA. When compared with their normal-weight counterparts, men who were overweight or obese spent less time in MVPA, whereas women who were overweight or obese spent less time in LPA and more time sitting/lying. Socioeconomic status was inversely associated with total movement volume, MVPA, and time spent sleeping, and positively associated with time spent sitting/lying, in both men and women. CONCLUSIONSIntegrating signals from hip and thigh accelerometers enables characterization of physical behaviors that can be applied in an African population.