Age-related patterns of vigorous-intensity physical activity in youth: The International Children's Accelerometry Database

Kirsten Corder, Stephen J Sharp, Andrew J Atkin, Lars B Andersen, Greet Cardon, Angie Page, Rachel Davey, Anders Grøntved, Pedro C Hallal, Kathleen F Janz, Katarzyna Kordas, Susi Kriemler, Jardena J Puder, Luis B Sardinha, Ulf Ekelund, Esther M F van Sluijs, International Children's Accelerometry Database (ICAD) Collaborators

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Abstract

Physical activity declines during youth but most evidence reports on combined moderate and vigorous-intensity physical activity. We investigated how vigorous-intensity activity varies with age. Cross-sectional data from 24,025 participants (5.0-18.0 y; from 20 studies in 10 countries obtained 2008-2010) providing ≥ 1 day accelerometer data (International Children's Accelerometry Database (ICAD)). Linear regression was used to investigate age-related patterns in vigorous-intensity activity; models included age (exposure), adjustments for monitor wear-time and study. Moderate-intensity activity was examined for comparison. Interactions were used to investigate whether the age/vigorous-activity association differed by sex, weight status, ethnicity, maternal education and region. 

A 6.9% (95% CI 6.2, 7.5) relative reduction in mean vigorous-intensity activity with every year of age was observed; for moderate activity the relative reduction was 6.0% (5.6%, 6.4%). The age-related decrease in vigorous-intensity activity remained after adjustment for moderate activity. A larger age-related decrease in vigorous activity was observed for girls (- 10.7%) versus boys (- 2.9%), non-white (- 12.9% to - 9.4%) versus white individuals (- 6.1%), lowest maternal education (high school (- 2.0%)) versus college/university (ns) and for overweight/obese (- 6.1%) versus healthy-weight participants (- 8.1%). In addition to larger annual decreases in vigorous-intensity activity, overweight/obese individuals, girls and North Americans had comparatively lower average vigorous-intensity activity at 5.0-5.9 y. 

Age-related declines in vigorous-intensity activity during youth appear relatively greater than those of moderate activity. However, due to a higher baseline, absolute moderate-intensity activity decreases more than vigorous. Overweight/obese individuals, girls, and North Americans appear especially in need of vigorous-intensity activity promotion due to low levels at 5.0-5.9 y and larger negative annual differences.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)17-22
Number of pages6
JournalPreventive Medicine Reports
Volume4
Early online date16 May 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2016

Keywords

  • ICAD
  • Motor activity
  • Child
  • Adolescent
  • Epidemiology

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