Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2014; 35(06): 534-540
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1358467
Behavioural Sciences
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Comparison of Objectively Measured and Self-reported Time Spent Sitting

J. Lagersted-Olsen
1   National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
,
M. Korshøj
1   National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
,
J. Skotte
1   National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
,
I. G. Carneiro
3   Danish Working Environment Authority
,
K. Søgaard
2   Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
,
A. Holtermann
1   National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 27 September 2013

Publication Date:
20 November 2013 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Until recently, methods for objective quantification of sitting time have been lacking. The aim of this study was to validate self-reported measures against objectively measured total sitting time and longest continuous time with uninterrupted sitting during working hours, leisure time on workdays and leisuredays. Objective diurnal measurement of sitting time was obtained among 26 office workers with 2 accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X+) for a 7-day period. Customized software (Acti4) was used to identify sitting time separated from other sedentary behaviours. Self-reported sitting time was obtained from a retrospective 7-day questionnaire. A generalized linear model showed the difference between the methods. No significant correlations were found between objective and self-reported sitting time (r<0.315). Total sitting time was significantly underestimated (2.4 h) on a leisureday (p<0.001) and uninterrupted sitting time was in all 3 time settings significantly overestimated (0.4–0.5 h) (p<0.045). Poor agreement (mean difference between 0.5 to −2.4 h) between objectively measured and self-reported sitting time was shown in Bland-Altman plots with wide (3.3–10.8 h) limits of agreement. This study showed a great individual variation and a general lack of agreement between self-reported vs. objectively measured total and uninterrupted sitting time. Objective measures are recommended for determining sitting time.

Key words

objective physical activity measurements - sedentary behaviour - validity - ActiGraph GT3X +
 

  • References

  • 1 Aastrand PO, Ryhming I. A nomogram for calculation of aerobic capacity (physical fitness) from pulse rate during submaximal work. J Appl Physiol 1954; 7: 218-221
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 ActiGraph [ http: //www.theactigraph.com/products/gt3x-plus/ ]
    PubMed
  • 3 Bang LE, Christensen KL, Hansen KW, Skov K, Wiinberg N. Diagnostisk blodtryksmåling – på døgnbasis, hjemme og i konsultationen. Dansk Hypertensionsselskab 2006; 2-12
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Chastin SF, Granat MH. Methods for objective measure, quantification and analysis of sedentary behaviour and inactivity. Gait Posture 2010; 31: 82-86
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Chau JY, Van Der Ploeg HP, Dunn S, Kurko J, Bauman AE. Validity of the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ). Med Sci Sports Exerc 2012; 44: 118-125
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Clark BK, Thorp AA, Winkler EA, Gardiner PA, Healy GN, Owen N, Dunstan DW. Validity of self-reported measures of workplace sitting time and breaks in sitting time. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2011; 43: 1907-1912
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Craig CL, Marshall AL, Sjöström M, Bauman AE, Booth ML, Ainsworth BE, Pratt M, Ekelund U, Yngve A, Sallis JF, Oja P. International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003; 35: 1381-1395
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 de Vries SI, Garre FG, Engbers LH, Hildebrandt VH, van Buuren S. Evaluation of Neural Networks to Identify Types of Activity Using Accelerometers. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2011; 43: 101-107
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Dunstan DW, Thorp AA, Healy GN. Prolonged sitting: is it a distinct coronary heart disease risk factor?. Curr Opin Cardiol 2011; 26: 412-419
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Grant PM, Ryan CG, Tigbe WW, Granat MH. The validation of a novel activity monitor in the measurement of posture and motion during everyday activities. Br J Sports Med 2006; 40: 992-997
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Hagstromer M, Oja P, Sjostrom M. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ): a study of concurrent and construct validity. Public Health Nutr 2006; 9: 755-762
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Hagstromer M, Ainsworth BE, Oja P, Sjostrom M. Comparison of a subjective and an objective measure of physical activity in a population sample. J Phys Act Health 2010; 7: 541-550
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Update – ethical standards in sport and exercise science research. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 819-821
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Hart TL, Ainsworth BE, Tudor-Locke C. Objective and subjective measures of sedentary behavior and physical activity. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2011; 43: 449-456
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Healy GN, Clark BK, Winkler EA, Gardiner PA, Brown WJ, Matthews CE. Measurement of adults' sedentary time in population-based studies. Am J Prev Med 2011; 41: 216-227
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Healy GN, Dunstan DW, Salmon J, Cerin E, Shaw JE, Zimmet PZ, Owen N. Breaks in sedentary time: beneficial associations with metabolic risk. Diabetes Care 2008; 31: 661-666
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Healy GN, Matthews CE, Dunstan DW, Winkler EA, Owen N. Sedentary time and cardio-metabolic biomarkers in US adults: NHANES 2003–06. Eur Heart J 2011; 32: 590-607
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Katzmarzyk PT, Church TS, Craig CL, Bouchard C. Sitting time and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009; 41: 998-1005
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Matthewes CE, Hagströmer M, Pober DM, Bowles HR. Best practices for using physical activity monitors in population-based research. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2012; 44: 68-76
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 McCrady SK, Levine JA. Sedentariness at work: how much do we really sit?. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2009; 17: 2103-2105
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Owen N, Healy GN, Matthews CE, Dunstan DW. Too much sitting: the population health science of sedentary behavior. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2010; 38: 105-113
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Proper KI, Singh AS, van Mechelen W, Chinapaw MJ. Sedentary behaviors and health outcomes among adults: a systematic review of prospective studies. Am J Prev Med 2011; 40: 174-182
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Reilly JJ, Penpraze V, Hislop J, Davies G, Grant S, Paton JY. Objective measurement of physical activity and sedentary behaviour: review with new data. Arch Dis Child 2008; 93: 614-619
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Skotte J, Korshøj M, Kristiansen J, Hanisch C, Holtermann A. Detection of physical activity types using triaxial accelerometers. J Phys Act Health 2012; [Epub ahead of print]
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Thorp AA, Owen N, Neuhaus M, Dunstan DW. Sedentary behaviors and subsequent health outcomes in adults a systematic review of longitudinal studies, 1996–2011. Am J Prev Med 2011; 41: 207-215
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 van Uffelen JG, Wong J, Chau JY, van der Ploeg HP, Riphagen I, Gilson ND, Burton NW, Healy GN, Thorp AA, Clark BK, Gardiner PA, Dunstan DW, Bauman A, Owen N, Brown WJ. Occupational sitting and health risks: a systematic review. Am J Prev Med 2010; 39: 379-388
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar