The consequences of using different epoch lengths on the classification of accelerometer based sedentary behaviour and physical activity

We examined the influence of using different epoch lengths on the classification accuracy of laboratory-controlled sedentary behaviour (SB), and free-living total time and time spent in bouts of SB and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), in children and adolescents. We used two studies including accelerometer-derived data of: 1) controlled activities, i.e. seven sedentary, one standing and one dancing (n = 90); 2) free-living activities (n = 902). For the controlled-activity data, we calculated percentages of time classified as SB and MVPA. For the free-living data, we calculated medians (25(th)–75(th) percentiles) of total time and time spent in bouts of SB and MVPA. Applying 8counts/5seconds, 25counts/15seconds and 100counts/60seconds for SB on controlled-activity data revealed respectively (1) 92–96%, 89–99% and 98–100% of sedentary time accurately classified as SB (activity- and age-dependent); (2) 91–98%, 88–99% and 97–100% of standing time classified as SB (age-dependent); (3) 25–37%, 20–25% and 25–38% of dancing time classified as SB (age-dependent). Using longer epochs, children’s total time in SB and MVPA decreased while time accumulated in bouts of SB and MVPA accumulated in bouts increased. We conclude that a 60-second epoch seems preferable when the aim is to classify sedentary behaviour, while a shorter epoch length is needed to capture children’s short bursts of MPVA. Furthermore, we should be aware that a longer epoch results in averaging of intensities to the middle category.