Individualized Accelerometer Activity Cut-Points for the Measurement of Relative Physical Activity Intensity Levels

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the widely used accelerometer activity cut-points derived from the absolute moderate intensity recommendation (3‒6 METs), with relative intensity cut-points according to maximal cardiorespiratory fitness (46%‒63% $\dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_{2\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{x}}$) and to individual lactate thresholds (LT1 and LT2) in postmenopausal women. Method: Thirty postmenopausal women performed several exercise tests with measures of heart rate, blood lactate, accelerometer activity counts and oxygen consumption. Individual regressions were developed to derive the accelerometer activity counts at absolute and relative moderate intensity recommendations and at individual LTs. Results: The activity counts calculated at the lower moderate intensity boundary were lower for the absolute 3 METs threshold (2026 ± 808 ct·min⁻¹) compared to relative 46 % $\dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_{2\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{x}}$ intensity threshold (p < .01, ES: 1.95) and LT1 (p < .01, ES: 2.27), which corresponded to 4.6 ± 0.7 METs. The activity counts at the upper moderate intensity boundary were higher for LT2 (7249 ± 2499 ct·min⁻¹) compared to the absolute 6 METs threshold (p < .01, ES: 0.72) and relative 63% $\dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_{2\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{x}}$ intensity threshold (p < .01, ES: 0.55). The interindividual variability in activity counts at relative intensity thresholds was high (CV = 30–34%), and was largely explained by cardiorespiratory fitness level (R² = ~ 50%). Conclusion: Individually tailored (relative to $\dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_{2\mathrm{m}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{x}}$ or submaximal LTs) rather than fixed accelerometer intensity cut-points derived from the classic absolute moderate physical activity intensity (3–6 METs) would result in a more accurate measurement of an individual´s activity levels and reduce the risk of overestimating or underestimating physical activity.

KEYWORDS:

• Activity counts
• cardiorespiratory fitness
• exercise intensity
• lactate thresholds

Acknowledgments

The authors express their appreciation to all participants of the study. The results of the present study are presented clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation.

Additional information

Funding

EGR was supported by a predoctoral fellowship from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).