Course description
Physical activity (PA) has been consistently recognized as key factor to limit the onset and development of numerous non-communicable chronic conditions (e.g., metabolic syndrome, diabetes, heart diseases, asthma) as well as the progression of cognitive decline and functional independency in young and older adults. Similarly, high sedentary behavior (SB) and poor sleep (SL) have been acknowledged as independent risk factors for numerous health conditions including cardiovascular diseases, falls and fractures. Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior seem to have an independent pathway to negative health outcomes and thereby require specific assessment methods.
Traditionally, PA and SB were assessed with self-reported methods (i.e., questionnaire) which, in general, had contextual questions and included type, frequency and intensity of the activity. The development and the fast evolution in the past few years of motion sensors has: i) allowed to have an objective insight in subjects' everyday life, ii) provided the possibility of recording high density continuous data for relatively long-time windows, iii) unraveled a remarkable mismatch between self-report and objective data in different population. In addition, while self-report methods used to provide contextual information (e.g., relative intensity while performing a given activity), objective data and data interpretation is based on reference groups (e.g., moderate level of physical activity with hip worn accelerometers) which may not fit well the specific individual. The above issues have been translated into an uncountable number of round tables, symposia, expert groups, and ad hoc conferences in the past few years with focus on objective and self-report assessment methods of PA, SB and SL. Nevertheless, so far, no current guidelines have been provided in general and for specific population groups (e.g., older adults).
This PhD course will address the above issues, highlight the strengths and limitations of the current methods for different population groups and guide the student to a proper selection of the method for the specific study design. World-leading expert will be invited to the present the different methods and the factors which may affect and bias each method. Participants will collect their own accelerometry data during the course and will analyse using ad hoc software and present them under the guidance of the lecturers.
Participants will also be invited to present their research work involving different methods to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior and the challenges they may face. Feedback from selected lecturers will be provided.
Expected learning outcomes
- achieve knowledge and understand the different existing methods to assess PA, SB and SL.
- understand the strengths and limitations within the different methods in relation to different population groups (e.g., older adults, young adults, children).
- understand the factors influencing the outcome both for self-report (e.g., cultural, behavioral) and objective (e.g., physiological, anatomical) methods.
- select the correct method according to the study design.
Dates 2022
2, 3, 7 and 13th of June 2022
The attendance for June 13th can be either physical or online.
Course fee
The course is free of charge for PhD students enrolled in The Faculty of Health Sciences at SDU.
For PhD students enrolled in other Universities that have joined the "Open market agreement" the course fee is DKK 1475.
For other participants there is a course fee of DKK 7063,41.