A source of systematic bias in self-reported physical activity: The cutpoint bias hypothesis. Issue 8 (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Olds, Tim S.; Gomersall, Sjaan R.; Olds, Spencer T.; Ridley, Kate
• Is Part Of: Journal of science and medicine in sport. Volume 22:Issue 8(2019)
• Page Start: 924
• Page End: 928
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Physical activity -- Sedentary behavior -- Self-report -- Methods -- Accelerometry -- Use of time; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- physiology -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Sportgeneeskunde; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.03.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-2440

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Estimates of adults' moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) based on self-report are generally higher than estimates derived from criterion measures. This study examines a possible explanation for part of this discrepancy: the cutpoint bias hypothesis. This hypothesis proposes that inter- and intra-individual variability in energy expenditure, combined with the fact that adults perform a high proportion of daily activities at or just above the traditional 3 MET cutpoint, result in systematic over-estimates of MVPA. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Time-use recalls (n = 6862) were collected using the Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adults from 2210 adults (1215 female, age 16–93 years) from 16 studies conducted in Australia and New Zealand between 2008-2017. Minutes spent in MVPA were estimated using models with varying levels of intra- and inter-individual (total variability) Unadjusted (0% total variability), Low (11.9%), Best Guess (20.7%), and High (30.0%). Results: In the Unadjusted model, participants accumulated an average of 129 (standard deviation 127) min/day of MVPA. Estimated MVPA was 98 (110), 99 (107) and 108 (107) min/day in the Low, Best Guess and High variability models, respectively, with intra-class correlation coefficients with the Unadjusted model ranging from 0.78 to 0.83. Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis of a cutpoint bias, which probably contributes to the large disparities seen between self-reported and criterion measures of MVPA. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings using other self-report instruments and in other populations.