Normative Peak Physical Activity Values for Monitor-Independent Movement Summary Units: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2014

Abstract

Background: The most recent physical activity (PA) monitor data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were processed using a novel monitor-independent movement summary (MIMS) algorithm. To date, few studies have utilized these data, likely due to a general unfamiliarity with MIMS-related metrics. The purpose of this study was to establish normative values for peak MIMS metrics as measures of free-living PA intensity and natural ambulatory effort. Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 survey cycles were used, including 8729 individuals aged 20–80+ years. MIMS data were obtained from wrist-worn accelerometers worn for at least 1 valid day (<5% nonwear time per day). Peak-1MIMS (ie, the highest 1-min MIMS value within a day) and Peak-30MIMS (ie, the average of the 30 highest 1-min MIMS values) were obtained, averaged across all valid days, and reported as sample-weighted means (95% confidence intervals), and across 5th to 95th percentiles. Results: Mean (95% confidence interval) values for Peak-1MIMS and Peak-30MIMS were 59.9 (59.2–61.6) and 42.9 (42.4–43.3) MIMS/minute, respectively. Both peak metrics declined across the adult lifespan. Men displayed greater Peak-1MIMS, while Peak-30MIMS was similar between sexes. Both MIMS metrics trended lower with increasing body mass index. Conclusion: We provide normative values for peak MIMS metrics which reflect PA intensity/effort. We also developed an R-Shiny App whereby users can input age, sex, body mass index category, and MIMS metrics to determine individual-specific MIMS percentile values. Given the universal nature of the MIMS algorithm, these population representative data may be useful as a reference data set for device-based PA surveillance within the United States and for comparison globally.