Activity levels during lifestyle physical activity and exercise physical activity: An observational study

Abstract

Introduction:

Lifestyle physical activity has shown potential health benefits, but the comparability between lifestyle and exercise physical activity is not well studied. We determined the differences in objective activity levels quantified by vector magnitude (VM3) among instrumental activities of daily living and walking exercise in healthy young adults between the ages of 18–39.

Method:

In this cross-sectional, observational study with repeated measures, participants completed bed-making, vacuuming, dishwashing, and walking while wearing ActiGraph GT9X Links.

Results:

Twenty-four females and twenty-four males participated in the study. Bed-making showed the highest VM3 counts, measured at wrists; whereas walking showed the highest VM3 counts, measured at hips. VM3 counts during bed-making were significantly higher than all other activities measured at wrists (p ⩽ 0.001; r = 0.55–0.62). The highest VM3 counts among wrists and hips during bed-making were significantly different from all other activities (p < 0.001, r = 0.55–0.62).

Conclusion:

The highest activity levels measured among wrists and hips during lifestyle physical activity are similar to or higher than those of exercise physical activity among healthy young adults. Clinicians should consider multiple factors when selecting appropriate lifestyle physical activity for each individual in addition to the compendium of physical activities.