Deep learning of movement behavior profiles and their association with markers of cardiometabolic health

Abstract Background Traditionally, existing studies assessing the health associations of accelerometer-measured movement behaviors have been performed with few averaged values, mainly representing the duration of physical activities and sedentary behaviors. Such averaged values cannot naturally capture the complex interplay between the duration, timing, and patterns of accumulation of movement behaviors, that altogether may be codependently related to health outcomes in adults. In this study, we introduce a novel approach to visually represent recorded movement behaviors as images using original accelerometer outputs. Subsequently, we utilize these images for cluster analysis employing deep convolutional autoencoders. Methods Our method involves converting minute-by-minute accelerometer outputs (activity counts) into a 2D image format, capturing the entire spectrum of movement behaviors performed by each participant. By utilizing convolutional autoencoders, we enable the learning of these image-based representations. Subsequently, we apply the K-means algorithm to cluster these learned representations. We used data from 1812 adult (20–65 years) participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2003–2006 cycles) study who worn a hip-worn accelerometer for 7 seven consecutive days and provided valid accelerometer data. Results Deep convolutional autoencoders were able to learn the image representation, encompassing the entire spectrum of movement behaviors. The images were encoded into 32 latent variables, and cluster analysis based on these learned representations for the movement behavior images resulted in the identification of four distinct movement behavior profiles characterized by varying levels, timing, and patterns of accumulation of movement behaviors. After adjusting for potential covariates, the movement behavior profile characterized as “Early-morning movers” and the profile characterized as “Highest activity” both had lower levels of insulin ( P < 0.01 for both), triglycerides ( P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), HOMA-IR ( P < 0.01 for both), and plasma glucose ( P < 0.05 and P < 0.1, respectively) compared to the “Lowest activity” profile. No significant differences were observed for the “Least sedentary movers” profile compared to the “Lowest activity” profile. Conclusions Deep learning of movement behavior profiles revealed that, in addition to duration and patterns of movement behaviors, the timing of physical activity may also be crucial for gaining additional health benefits.