Table 2

Physical activity levels as estimated from accelerometer measurement and EPIC and LTPAQ self-reported questionnaires

Physical activity assessment
Median (25th-75th centile)



Hours/week
Counts

Accelerometera


     Total counts per day

347328 (278084–428769)
     Average counts per minute

398 (316–483)





MET-hours/week



     Total activity
46.7 (39.8–53.6)
160.0 (135.3–183.6)
     Light intensity
25.9 (21.1–29.4)
64.8 (52.8–73.5)
     Moderate intensity
19.5 (16.3–23.7)
87.6 (73.4–106.5)
     Vigorous intensity
0.2 (0.0–0.7)
1.1 (0.3–4.3)
     Sedentary timeb
121.1 (114.1–128.1)




EPIC questionnaire (10 months)


     Total non-occupationalc
20.3 (13.6–31.6)
73.5 (52.6–116.0)
     Recreational
9.0 (5.5–14.0)
34.5 (19.5–54.0)
     Household
10.1 (5.2–20.1)
37.7 (19.0–68.8)
     Vigorous activity, self-ratedd
2.0 (0.0–5.0)
18.0 (0.0–45.0)
     Vigorous activity, MET-assignede
2.0 (0.3–4.8)
12.4 (1.6–28.8)
     Light-moderate activitye
17.5 (10.5–28.0)
59.8 (34.3–96.0)



LTPAQ questionnaire


     Total activityf
33.4 (26.8–41.3)
98.6 (72.6–123.3)
     Non-occupational
12.2 (7.2–19.4)
46.2 (29.6–72.2)
     Occupationalf
17.1 (10.6–24.1)
40.1 (23.2–58.5)
     Recreational
3.0 (1.6–4.2)
15.5 (8.2–23.8)
     Household
7.2 (3.5–13.7)
22.6 (11.6–45.9)
     Active transportation
0.9 (0.5–1.4)
2.9 (1.7–4.5)
     Vigorous activity, MET-assignede
0.5 (0.1–1.5)
3.8 (0.7–12.4)
     Light-moderate activitye
30.5 (23.6–38.9)
86.9 (65.6–112.8)

EPIC, European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition; LTPAQ, Lifetime Total Physical Activity Questionnaire

a Data are averages of three 7-day accelerometer periods. The Swartz cut-points [23] were used to estimate the time spent in light, moderate and vigorous intensity activity.

b Sedentary time defined as <100 counts/min, and includes non-wear and sleep time; corresponds to 17.3 (16.3–18.3) hours/day

c Combined recreational and household physical activity

d Estimated from a question about time in activities causing sweating or faster heartbeat

e MET-assigned vigorous activity estimated using the sum of time spent in activities with MET values ≥ 6; Light-moderate activity was estimated using the sum of time spent in activities with MET values < 6

f Occupational activities with a mean MET value of ≤ 1.5 (i.e. purely sedentary occupations) were excluded from activity estimates

Cust et al. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2008 5:33   doi:10.1186/1479-5868-5-33