Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2021 Oct 25. doi: 10.1111/sms.14085. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Physical activity (PA) is a complex human behaviour, which implies that multiple dimensions need to be taken into account in order to reveal a complete picture of the PA behaviour profile of an individual. This scoping review aimed to map advanced analytical methods and their summary variables, hereinafter referred to as wearable-specific indicators of PA behaviour (WIPAB), used to assess PA behaviour. The strengths and limitations of those indicators as well as potential associations with certain health-related factors were also investigated. Three databases (MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science) were screened for articles published in English between January 2010 and April 2020. Articles, which assessed the PA behaviour, gathered objective measures of PA using tri-axial accelerometers and investigated WIPAB were selected. All studies reporting WIPAB in the context of PA monitoring were synthesised and presented in four summary tables: study characteristics, details of the WIPAB, strengths and limitations, and measures of association between those indicators and health-related factors. In total, 7247 records were identified, of which 24 articles were included after assessing titles, abstracts and full-texts. Thirteen WIPAB were identified, which can be classified into three different categories specifically focussing on 1) the activity intensity distribution, 2) activity accumulation and 3) the temporal correlation and regularity of the acceleration signal. Only five of the thirteen WIPAB identified in this review have been used in the literature so far to investigate the relationship between PA behaviour and health, while they may provide useful additional information to the conventional PA variables.
PMID:34695249 | DOI:10.1111/sms.14085
