Physical Activity : Absolute Intensity vs. Relative-to-Fitness-Level Volumes

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate in a real-life setting how moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity (PA) volumes differ according to absolute intensity recommendation and relative to individual fitness level by sex, age, and body mass index. Methods: A total of 23,224 Finnish employees (10,201 men and 13,023 women; ages 18–65 yr; body mass index = 18.5–40.0 kg·m−2) participated in heart rate recording for 2+ d. We used heart rate and its variability, respiration rate, and on/off response information from R-R interval data calibrated by participant characteristics to objectively determine daily PA volume, as follows: daily minutes of absolute moderate (3–<6 METs) and vigor…