From Total Volume to Sequence Maps—Sophisticated Accelerometer Data Analysis

Purpose To date, epidemiological studies have focused on the potential health effects of total volume of physical activity (PA) or sedentary behaviour (SB). However, two persons may have the same volume of PA or SB but accumulated in a completely different sequence. The pattern of accumulating PA and SB might be more important for health effects than the total volume. Therefore the aim was to develop a sophisticated algorithm translating accelerometer data into detailed sequence maps considering how PA and SB are accumulated throughout the day. Methods We developed a novel algorithm to convert accelerometer counts into a sequence map based on behaviour states defined by a combination of intensity (SB, light, moderate, and vigorous intensity) and duration (sporadic accumulation or in bouts of different duration). Additionally, hierarchical cluster analysis was applied to identify clusters of children with similar behavioural sequence maps. Results Clustering resulted in seven clusters of children with similar PA and SB sequence maps: an average cluster (33% of children); a cluster with relatively more SB, light and moderate PA in bouts (SB and PA bouters, 31%); a cluster characterized by more sporadic SB and light PA (light activity breakers, 26%); and four smaller clusters with 7% of the children or less. Conclusion This novel algorithm is a next step in more sophisticated analyses of accelerometer data considering how PA and SB are accumulated throughout the day. The next step is identifying whether specific patterns of accumulating PA and SB are associated with improved health outcomes. *Mai Chinapaw and Xinhui Wang contributed equally to the paper. Corresponding author: M.J.M. Chinapaw, PhD, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands, ph: +31 20 444 8203, f: +31 20 444 8387, m.chinapaw@vumc.nl The contributions of Chinapaw, Wang, and Altenburg were funded by the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw projectnr 91211057). The CHAMPS-study was funded by: The TRYG Foundation, University College Lillebaelt, University of Southern Denmark, The Nordea Foundation, The IMK foundation, The Region of Southern Denmark, The Egmont Foundation, The A.J. Andersen Foundation, The Danish Rheumatism Association, Østifternes Foundation, Brd. Hartmann's Foundation, TEAM Denmark, The Danish Chiropractor Foundation, The Nordic Institute of Chiropractic and Clinical Biomechanics. Conflict of interest: The authors have no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose, the results of the present study do not constitute endorsement by ACSM and the results of the study are presented clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation. Accepted for Publication: 14 November 2018. © 2018 American College of Sports Medicine

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