Approved Research

Taking advantage of the complex and multidimensional device-measured 24-hour movement behaviour to better characterise the relationship with chronic diseases

Lay summary

Scientific literature supports that regular physical activity helps to prevent and manage several chronic diseases. However, most studies have used self-reported data and focused on moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), which only account for approximately 5% of the 24-h movement behaviour in the general population. The 24-h movement behaviour is distributed between sleep, sedentary behaviour, and physical activity. Therefore, any change in one behaviour, such as MVPA, implies an equal change in at least one other behaviour, which requires appropriate analytical methods. Furthermore, focusing on few standard measures is likely to not be sufficient to understand the role of the multiple dimensions of the movement behaviour (e.g. distribution of intensity, accumulation pattern, regularity) in health outcomes. Thus, more advanced analytical methods and summary variables are needed. Until today, there is a lack of evidence on the relationship between the complex 24-h movement behaviour and, for example, cardiometabolic diseases (which includes obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, amongst others), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, or multiple sclerosis (for which prevalence increased by 50% over the last decade worldwide). Determining the optimal composition of a 24-hour movement behaviour, and the relevant dimensions of the physical behaviour are essential to better design and implement prevention programs.

We therefore aim to: 1) Calculate a large and comprehensive set of metrics for the assessment of the 24-h movement behaviour; 2) Perform analysis to quantify differences in health outcomes associated with time reallocation of movement behaviours; 3) Apply innovative approaches to define the most common profiles of 24-hour movement behaviours; 4) Investigate associations between the 24-h movement behaviour and health outcomes; and 5) Determinate dose-response relationships.

This project is expected to last 3 years. We await that our findings will help to identify populations at higher risk of chronic diseases or mortality, determine the key dimensions of the 24-h movement behaviour that matter the most for these type of diseases, provide new insight on the minimal doses and optimal compositions and shape future preventive interventions.