Skip to main content

Table 1 Accelerometer physical activity/inactivity indicator variables

From: Accelerometer profiles of physical activity and inactivity in normal weight, overweight, and obese U.S. men and women

Accelerometer variable

Defined

Volume indicators*

Activity counts/day

Total activity counts accumulated over 1,440 minutes

Uncensored steps/day

Total raw steps accumulated over 1,440 minutes

Censored steps/day

Total steps accumulated over 1,440 minutes after censoring out those steps taken at an intensity < 500 activity counts/minute

Rate indicators*

Activity counts/minute

Total activity counts accumulated over 1,440 minutes, divided by time worn

Uncensored steps/minute

Total raw steps accumulated over 1,440 minutes (24 hours or one day), divided by time worn

Censored steps/minute

Total steps accumulated over 1,440 minutes after censoring out those steps taken at an intensity < 500 activity counts/minute, divided by time worn

Time indicators (minutes)*

Non-wear time

1,440 minutes minus wear time

Time in sedentary intensity

Total time < 100 activity counts/minute

Time in low intensity

Total time 100-499 activity counts/minute

Time in light intensity

Total time 500-2,019 activity counts/minute

Time in moderate intensity

Total time 2,020-5,999 activity counts/minute

Time in vigorous intensity

Total time > 5,999 activity counts/minute

Achievement of public health guideline indicator

Y/N achievement of public health guidelines

Percent achieving ≥ 30 minutes of at least moderate intensity in modified 10-minute bouts** on at least 5 of 7 days

Break in sedentary time indicator*

Transitions/day

Total occurrences of when activity counts rose from < 100 activity/counts in one minute to ≥ 100 activity counts in the subsequent minute

Step-defined activity levels (%)

Basal activity

< 2,500 censored steps/day

Limited activity

2,500 to 4,999 steps/day

Low active

5,000-7,499 steps/day

Somewhat active

7,500-9,999 steps/day

Active

10,000-12,499 steps/day

Highly active

≥ 12,500 steps/day

  1. *averaged over number of days worn
  2. **10 or more consecutive minutes above the moderate intensity activity count threshold, with allowance for interruptions of 1 or 2 minutes below threshold. A bout was terminated by 3 minutes below threshold.