Table 1 Descriptors, categorisation and comparable dimensions of physical activity (PA) per instrument

Total physical activity time (mins/day)

Total time spent per day in physical activity at different intensities.

• ActiGraph total physical activity in minutes per day was based on ≥100 counts per minute (cpm) [29, 33]

• ^aPedometer - total time spent in walking

• IPAQ n/a

Steps per day

Total steps taken per day

• ActiGraph total daily step counts

• ^aPedometer total daily step counts. A valid day of pedometer data required steps to lie between 100 and 50,000 steps.

• IPAQ – n/a

Sedentary behaviour time (mins/day)

Average daily time spent at rest or inactive e.g. sitting/lying

• ActiGraph sedentary behaviour <100 cpm; [29, 33]

• Pedometer – n/a

• ^bIPAQ - Time spent sitting

Light physical activity time (mins/day)

Average daily time spent in physical activity at a low intensity such as standing and slow walking around the home

• ActiGraph light physical activity 100–1951 cpm [33]

• Pedometer – n/a

• IPAQ – n/a

Total MVPA time (mins)

Average daily time spent in physical activity at a higher intensity such as brisk walking

• ActiGraph moderate-vigorous physical activity ≥1952 cpm [29, 33]

• Pedometer – n/a

• IPAQ- n/a

MVPA in ≥10-min bouts (mins/day)10+

Average daily time spent in 10 min bouts of physical activity at a higher intensity

• ActiGraph – moderate-vigorous physical activity ≥1952 cpm accumulated in ≥10-min bouts

• Pedometer – n/a

• ^bIPAQ – Scores are usually reported as MET-mins, and we converted this to mins/day