Background : Temporal movement behavior patterns (i.e., physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns) consist of combinations of activity dimensions. The aim of this work is to develop the largest inventory to date of metrics and methods for describing patterns in movement behaviors. In addition, it seeks to establish a taxonomy for categorizing these metrics and methods, enabling researchers to better understand their similarities and differences. Methods : A systematic search was conducted across four databases—Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus—from their inception to June 10, 2021. Studies that reported metrics or methods describing physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns measured with wearable devices were included. An inventory of these metrics and methods was created, which informed the development of a taxonomy for categorizing temporal movement behavior patterns. Results : From 22,074 unique records, 2,541 were included in the review. The review identified 161 standalone metrics and methods, which were mapped onto a taxonomy consisting of four stages and nine nodes: (I) data preparation: (1) data format and (2) input derivation method; (II) input measures: (3) posture, (4) volume, (5) frequency, (6) duration, and (7) intensity; (III) output measures: (8) pattern definition; and (IV) output derivation method: (9) computational methods on input. Conclusion : The derived taxonomy and inventory provide an overview of commonly used metrics and methods for examining temporal patterns and offer guidance for their application and future research. An online version of the taxonomy and inventory resource is available.
Kobeissi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.