Count‐ versus MAD‐based accelerometry‐assessed movement behaviors and associations with child adiposity and fitness

Estimations of time spent sedentary and in various physical activity intensities may vary according to data reduction methods applied. This study compared associations between children’s accelerometer data and adiposity and fitness markers using open source (mean amplitude deviation; MAD) and proprietary (counts) data reduction methods. Complete-case accelerometer, adiposity (Body Mass Index z-score, waist circumference), and fitness (cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal) data from 118 children (10.4±0.6 years, 49% girls) were analysed. Estimates of sedentary behaviour, light-, moderate-, vigorous- (VPA) and moderate- to vigorous-intensity (MVPA) physical activity were calculated using count-…