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Issues in accelerometer methodology: The role of epoch length on estimates of physical activity and relationships with health outcomes in overweight, post-menopausal women

Gabriel, KP and McClain, JJ and Schmid, KK and Storti, KL and High, RR and Underwood, DA and Kuller, LH and Kriska, AM (2010) Issues in accelerometer methodology: The role of epoch length on estimates of physical activity and relationships with health outcomes in overweight, post-menopausal women. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 7.

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Abstract

Background: Current accelerometer technology allows for data collection using brief time sampling intervals (i.e., epochs). The study aims were to examine the role of epoch length on physical activity estimates and subsequent relationships with clinically-meaningful health outcomes in post-menopausal women.Methods: Data was obtained from the Woman On the Move through Activity and Nutrition Study (n = 102). Differences in activity estimates presented as 60s and 10s epochs were evaluated using paired t-tests. Relationships with health outcomes were examined using correlational and regression analyses to evaluate differences by epoch length.Results: Inactivity, moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity (MVPA) were significantly higher and light-intensity activity was significantly lower (all P < 0.001) when presented as 10s epochs. The correlation between inactivity and self-reported physical activity was stronger with 10s estimates (P < 0.03); however, the regression slopes were not significantly different. Conversely, relationships between MVPA and body weight, BMI, whole body and trunk lean and fat mass, and femoral neck bone mineral density was stronger with 60s estimates (all P < 0.05); however, regression slopes were similar.Conclusion: These findings suggest that although the use of a shorter time sampling interval may suggestively reduce misclassification error of physical activity estimates, associations with health outcomes did not yield strikingly different results. Additional studies are needed to further our understanding of the ways in which epoch length contributes to the ascertainment of physical activity in research studies.Trial Registration: Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT00023543. © 2010 Gabriel et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.


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Details

Item Type: Article
Status: Published
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Gabriel, KP
McClain, JJ
Schmid, KK
Storti, KL
High, RR
Underwood, DAUnderwoodD@edc.pitt.eduDAU3
Kuller, LHkuller@pitt.eduKULLER
Kriska, AMKriskaA@edc.pitt.eduAKY
Date: 15 June 2010
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Volume: 7
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1186/1479-5868-7-53
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Epidemiology
Refereed: Yes
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2016 18:29
Last Modified: 02 Nov 2022 11:55
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/30270

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