Accelerometer Data Collection and Processing Criteria to Assess Physical Activity and Other Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Practical Considerations

Abstract

Background: Accelerometers are widely used to measure sedentary time, physical activity, physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE), and sleep-related behaviors, with the ActiGraph being the most frequently used brand by researchers. However, data collection and processing criteria have evolved in a myriad of ways out of the need to answer unique research questions; as a result there is no consensus.

Objectives: The purpose of this review was to: (1) compile and classify existing studies assessing sedentary time, physical activity, energy expenditure, or sleep using the ActiGraph GT3X/+ through data collection and processing criteria to improve data comparability and (2) review data collection and processing criteria when using GT3X/+ and provide age-specific practical considerations based on the validation/calibration studies identified.

Methods: Two independent researchers conducted the search in PubMed and Web of Science. We included all original studies in which the GT3X/+ was used in laboratory, controlled, or free-living conditions published from 1 January 2010 to the 31 December 2015.

Results: The present systematic review provides key information about the following data collection and processing criteria: placement, sampling frequency, filter, epoch length, non-wear-time, what constitutes a valid day and a valid week, cut-points for sedentary time and physical activity intensity classification, and algorithms to estimate PAEE and sleep-related behaviors. The information is organized by age group, since criteria are usually age-specific.

Conclusion: This review will help researchers and practitioners to make better decisions before (i.e., device placement and sampling frequency) and after (i.e., data processing criteria) data collection using the GT3X/+ accelerometer, in order to obtain more valid and comparable data.

Prospero registration number: CRD42016039991.

Keywords: Indirect Calorimetry; Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline; Physical Activity Intensity; Sedentary Time; Vigorous Physical Activity.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest Jairo H. Migueles, Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez, Ulf Ekelund, Christine Delisle Nyström, Jose Mora-Gonzalez, Marie Löf, Idoia Labayen, Jonatan R. Ruiz, and Francisco B. Ortega declare that they have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this review.

Figures

Fig. 1

Flowchart of the literature search and study selection process. 1Studies using accelerometers for other purposes (e.g., accelerometers attached to dogs). 2Studies that included two age ranges were counted in both age groups. 3Studies focused on validation, calibration or comparison of functions related to data collection or processing criteria. 4All cross-sectional, longitudinal, or intervention studies, which used the GT3X/+ device and met the inclusion criteria

Fig. 2

Percentage of the 235 included papers that did not report key methodological issues, separated by age group. NWT non-wear-time