Reproducibility of Free-Living Physical Activity/Sedentary Behavior in College Undergraduates Using activPAL Technologies

PURPOSE: To determine the reproducibility of free-living physical activity/sedentary behaviors.METHODS: Twice during an academic semester, students wore activPAL monitors 24-hours for seven consecutive days. Data was analyzed three ways: weeks were compared using 7-days, weekdays, and the weekends. RESULTS: For the full-week, weekday, and weekend analysis, the following parameters had no significant differences between the two weeks: percent of the day sedentary or step count. However, the percent of the day in moderate-to-vigorous activity was different between weeks in the full-week analysis, but not the weekday or weekend analysis. Also, the percent of day in light intensity activity was different between weeks during the weekday analysis, but not the full week or weekend analysis. CONCLUSION: Waking physical activity and sedentary behaviors are reproducible within an academic semester with the exception of the percent of the day in MVPA. This is likely explained by the requirements of a college undergraduate