Physical Activity Recommendations

The average Energy Expenditure (EE) of males and females over a whole day is decreasing. This decrease in physical activity raises major health concerns. Only a small percentage of men and women achieve the moderate activity guidelines; most are either sedentary or are only moderately active on an irregular basis. Half of all adults believe they are active enough to stay fit. An objective physical activity measure like the DynaPort MoveMonitor can provide conclusive answers on if exercise recommendations are actually met.

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Method

The PA Recommendation module calculates energy expenditure (METs) using the acceleration of body movements. Please see the Energy Expenditure module for more information about this method. These outcome values will be compared with some widely used recommendations or custom guidelines. The activity level thresholds are editable and can be chosen to be absolute, or relative to patient fitness.

Research

Among others the study of Martin, Morrow, Jackson & Dunn (2000) stresses the importance of the awareness of the particular level of physical activity one currently engages in. The most common used recommendation on quantity and quality of exercise is the ACSM norm [5]. However, self-report of physical activity levels is prone to social desirability bias [1] and recalling physical activity is a highly cognitive task [2]. The DynaPort MoveMonitor provides an objective way of monitoring to which extend recommendations as the ACSM norm is achieved. Moreover, the DynaPort MoveMonitor distinguishes itself from other activity monitors by accurately classifying the intensity of exercise next to other commonly used quantitive physical activity parameters.

Outcomes

Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)

A physiological concept expressing the energy cost of a physical activity as a multiple of Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). By convention, 1 MET is considered as the resting metabolic rate obtained during quiet sitting.

MET-Minutes

The duration of physical activity in minutes above moderate intensity. A 4 MET activity expends 4 times the energy used by the body at rest. If a person performs a 4 MET activity for 30 minutes, he or she has done 4 x 30 = 120 MET-minutes of physical activity. A person could also achieve 120 MET-minutes by performing an 8 MET activity for 15 minutes.

Physical Activity Guidelines

Physical Activity Guidelines describe the types and amounts of physical activity that offer substantial health benefits to young, adult and elderly people. Several well-known guidelines are implemented (e.g. ACSM [5] and NNGB [6]), and the compliance with these guidelines is assessed.

Absolute Intensity

Physical Activity recommendations use absolute aerobic intensity in terms of METs. According to the ACSM thresholds for adults [3]:
- Light-intensity activities are defined as 1.1 MET to 2.9 METs.
- Moderate-intensity activities are defined as 3.0 to 5.9 METs.
- Vigorous-intensity activities are defined as 6.0 METs or more.

1. Adams, S. A., Matthews, C. E., Ebbeling, C. B., Moore, C. G., Cunningham, J. E., Fulton, J., & Hebert, J. R. (2005). The Effect of Social Desirability and Social Approval on Self-Reports of Physical Activity. American journal of epidemiology, 161(4), 389-398. doi:10.1093/aje/kwi054
2. Baranowski, T. (2013). Validity and Reliability of Self Report Measures of Physical Activity: an Information-Processing Perspective. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 59(4), 314-327. doi:10.1080/02701367.1988.10609379.
3. Haskell, W. L., Lee, I. M., , R. R., Powell, K. E., Blair, S. N., Franklin, B. A., Macera, C. A., Heath, G. W., Thompson, P. D., & Bauman, A. (2007). Physical Activity and Public Health: Updated Recommendation for Adults from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Circulation, 116(9), 1081-1093. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATION.107.185649.
4. Nelson, M. E., Rejeski, W. J., Blair, S. N., Duncan, P. W., Judge, J. O., King, A. C., Macera, C. A., & Castandedasceppa, C. (2007). Physical Activity and Public Health in Older Adults: Recommendation from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Circulation, 116(9), 1094-1105. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.185650.
5. American College of Sports Medecine. (2011). ACSM Issues New Recommendations on Quantity and Quality of Exercise. Retrieved from http://itswww.uvt.nl/lis/es/apa/apa-handleiding.pdf
6. Ministerie van volksgezondheid. (n.d). Nederlandse Norm Gezond Bewegen (NNGB). Retrieved from https://www.volksgezondheidenzorg.info/onderwerp/sport-en-bewegen/cijfers-context/huidige-situatie#definities
7. Martin, S. B., J. R. Morrow, JR., A. W. Jackson, and A. L. Dunn. (2000). Variables Related to Meeting the CDC/ACSM Physical Activity Guidelines. MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE, 32(12), 2087–2092. doi:10.1097/00005768-200012000-00019