Can quantifying the relative intensity of a person’s free-living physical activity predict how they respond to a physical activity intervention? Findings from the PACES RCT

Objectives: To determine whether quantifying both the absolute and relative intensity of accelerometer-assessed physical activity (PA) can inform PA interventions. We hypothesised that individuals whose free-living PA is at a low relative intensity are more likely to increase PA in response to an intervention, as they have spare physical capacity.

Method: We conducted a secondary data analysis of a 12-month randomised controlled trial, Physical Activity after Cardiac EventS, which was designed to increase PA but showed no improvement. Participants (N=239, 86% male; age 66.4 (9.7); control N=126, intervention N=113) wore accelerometers for 7 days and performed the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) at baseline and 12 months. PA intensity was expressed in absolute terms (intensity gradient) and relative to acceleration at maximal physical capacity (predicted from an individual’s maximal ISWT walking speed). PA outcomes were volume and absolute intensity gradient.

Results: At baseline, ISWT performance was positively correlated with PA volume (r=0.50, p<0.001) and absolute intensity (r=0.50, p<0.001), but negatively correlated with relative intensity (r=−0.13, p=0.025). Relative intensity of PA at baseline moderated the change in absolute intensity (p=0.017), but not volume, of PA postintervention. Low relative intensity at baseline was associated with increased absolute intensity gradient (+0.5 SD), while high relative intensity at baseline was associated with decreased absolute intensity gradient (−0.5 SD).

Conclusion: Those with low relative intensity of PA were more likely to increase their absolute PA intensity gradient in response to an intervention. Quantifying absolute and relative PA intensity of PA could improve enables personalisation of interventions.