SBRN Terminology Consensus Project - The Sedentary Behaviour Research Network (SBRN)

SBRN
Terminology Consensus Project

12 Translations Available

Chinese (traditional), Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Japanese,
Korean, Portuguese (Portugal), Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish and Thai

The prominence of sedentary behavior research in health science has grown rapidly. With this growth there is increasing urgency for clear, common and accepted terminology and definitions. Such standardization is difficult to achieve, especially across multi-disciplinary researchers, practitioners, and industries. The Sedentary Behavior Research Network (SBRN) undertook a Terminology Consensus Project to address this need.

Method

First, a literature review was completed to identify key terms in sedentary behavior research. These key terms were then reviewed and modified by a Steering Committee formed by SBRN. Next, SBRN members were invited to contribute to this project and interested participants reviewed and provided feedback on the proposed list of terms and draft definitions through an online survey. Finally, a conceptual model and consensus definitions (including caveats and examples for all age groups and functional abilities) were finalized based on the feedback received from the 87 SBRN member participants who responded to the original invitation and survey.

Results

Consensus definitions for the terms physical inactivity, stationary behavior, sedentary behavior, standing, screen time, non-screen-based sedentary time, sitting, reclining, lying, sedentary behavior pattern, as well as how the terms bouts, breaks, and interruptions should be used in this context are provided. It is hoped that the definitions resulting from this comprehensive, transparent, and broad-based participatory process will result in standardized terminology that is widely supported and adopted, thereby advancing future research, interventions, policies, and practices related to sedentary behaviors.

Research Paper

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Interactive Figure

Illustration of the final conceptual model of movement-based terminology arranged around a 24-hour period. The figure organizes the movements that take place throughout the day into two components: The inner ring represents the main behavior categories using energy expenditure. The outer ring provides general categories using posture. Hover over a term in the figure to view the definition. Detailed definitions, caveats and examples related to sedentary behavior are provided below the figure. The proportion of space occupied by each behavior in this figure is not prescriptive of the time that should be spent in these behaviors each day.

Consensus Definitions

Final definitions, caveats and examples of key terms from the Sedentary Behavior Research Network (SBRN) Terminology Consensus Project.

12 translations available: Chinese (traditional), Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Portugal), Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish and Thai.

Term	1. Physical Inactivity
General Definition	An insufficient physical activity level to meet present physical activity recommendations.
Caveats	General definition applies to all age and ability groups.
Examples	Toddlers and preschoolers (1-4 years): Not achieving 180 minutes of physical activity of any intensity per day. Children and youth (5-17 years): Not achieving 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity per day. Adults (≥ 18 years): Not achieving 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity.

Term	2. Stationary Behavior
General Definition	Stationary behavior refers to any waking behavior done while lying, reclining, sitting, or standing, with no ambulation, irrespective of energy expenditure.
Caveats	Stationary time: The time spent for any duration (e.g., per day, per week), in any context (e.g., at school/work), and at any intensity (e.g., standing in a line, working on an assembly line with no ambulation, working at a standing desk, sitting in a classroom) in stationary behaviors. Stationary bout: A period of uninterrupted stationary time. Stationary interruptions/breaks: A non-stationary bout in between two stationary bouts (applies to all age and ability groups except infants). General definition applies to all age and ability groups except for infants (<1 year to pre-walking) and people with a mobility impairment who are unable to stand.
Examples	Use of electronic devices (e.g., television, computer, tablet, phone) while sitting, reclining or lying; reading/writing/drawing/painting/talking while sitting; sitting at school/work; sitting in a bus, car or train. Standing in a line; standing at church; standing for a hallway discussion; writing a text-message while standing; using a standing desk. Being carried/held/cuddled by someone.

Term	3. Sedentary Behavior
General Definition	Sedentary behavior is any waking behavior characterized by an energy expenditure ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs), while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture.
Caveats	Sedentary time: The time spent for any duration (e.g., minutes per day) or in any context (e.g., at school or work) in sedentary behaviors. Sedentary bout: A period of uninterrupted sedentary time. Sedentary interruptions/breaks: A non-sedentary bout in between two sedentary bouts. Infants (<1 year or pre-walking): Any waking behavior characterized by low energy expenditure while restrained (e.g., stroller/pram, high chair, car seat/capsule), or when sedate (e.g., reclining/sitting in a chair with little movement but not restrained). Time spent in the prone position (“tummy time”) is not considered a sedentary exposure. Toddlers and preschoolers (1-4 years), children and youth (5-17 years) adults (≥ 18 years) and all ability groups: Same as the general definition.
Examples	Infants (<1 year or pre-walking): Lying awake in the bed with minimal movement; sitting in a baby chair/high chair/stroller/car seat with minimal movement; being carried/held/cuddled by someone Toddlers and preschoolers (1-4 years): Use of electronic devices (e.g., television, computer, tablet, phone) while sitting, reclining or lying; reading/drawing/painting while sitting; sitting in stroller; sitting in baby chair or couch while eating a meal; sitting in a bus, car or train. Children and youth (5-17 years): Use of electronic devices (e.g., television, computer, tablet, phone) while sitting, reclining or lying; reading/writing/drawing/painting while sitting; homework while sitting; sitting at school; sitting in a bus, car or train. Adults (≥ 18 years): Use of electronic devices (e.g., television, computer, tablet, phone) while sitting, reclining or lying; reading/writing/talking while sitting; sitting in a bus, car or train. People who use a manual wheelchair or a power chair: Use of electronic devices (e.g., television, computer, tablet, phone) while sitting, reclining or lying; reading/writing/drawing/painting/talking while sitting; sitting in a bus, car or train; moving from place to place in a power chair; being pushed while passively sitting in a manual wheelchair.

Term	4. Standing
General Definition	A position in which one has or is maintaining an upright position while supported by one's feet.
Caveats	Active standing: Active standing refers to any waking activity in a standing posture characterized by an energy expenditure > 2.0 METs, while standing without ambulation, whether supported or unsupported. Passive standing: Passive standing refers to any waking activity in a standing posture characterized by an energy expenditure ≤ 2.0 METs, while standing without ambulation, whether supported or unsupported. Standing time: The time spent for any duration (e.g., minutes per day) or in any context (e.g., at school/work) while standing. Standing bout: A period of uninterrupted time while standing. Standing interruptions/breaks: A non-standing bout in between two standing bouts. Infants (<1 year or pre-walking), toddlers and preschoolers (1-4 years), children and youth (5-17 years), adults (≥ 18 years) and people who use a manual wheelchair or a power chair: Same as the general definition. People who are unable to stand: Not applicable.
Examples	Active standing: Standing on a ladder; standing while painting; standing while washing dishes; working an assembly line while standing; standing while juggling; standing while lifting weights. Passive standing: Standing in a line; standing for a hallway discussion; use of electronic devices (e.g., television, computer, tablet, phone) while standing; standing at church. Supported standing: Standing while holding a couch, chair, or a parent's hand; standing with the aid of crutches, a cane, standing frame or body weight support.

Term	5. Screen Time
General Definition	Screen time refers to the time spent on screen-based behaviors. These behaviors can be performed while being sedentary or physically active.
Caveats	Recreational screen time: Time spent in screen behaviors that are not related to school or work. Stationary screen time: Time spent using a screen-based device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer, television) while being stationary in any context (e.g., school, work, recreational). Sedentary screen time: Time spent using a screen-based device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer, television) while being sedentary in any context (e.g., school, work, recreational). Active screen time: Time spent using a screen-based device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer, television) while not being stationary in any context (e.g., school, work, recreational). General definition applies to all age and ability groups.
Examples	All age and ability groups: Watching TV, using a smartphone/tablet, using a computer. Active screen time: Playing active video games, running on a treadmill while watching television.

Term	6. Non-Screen-Based Sedentary Time
General Definition	Non-screen-based sedentary time refers to the time spent in sedentary behaviors that do not involve the use of screens.
Caveats	Recreational non-screen time: Time spent in non-screen based sedentary behaviors that are not related to school or work. General definition applies to all age and ability groups.
Examples	Infants (<1 year or pre-walking): Lying supine on a mat while sedate; sitting in a stroller or car seat with little movement. Toddlers and preschoolers (1-4 years): Sitting in a child seat, chair or car seat; sitting idle in the sandbox or on the floor; reading a non-electronic book or playing a board game while seated. Children and youth (5-17 years): Sitting at school; sitting doing homework or art work; reading a non-electronic book; playing a board game; sitting in a car. Adults (≥ 18 years): Reading a non-electronic book; playing a board game; sitting in a car. People who use a manual wheelchair or a power chair: Reading a non-electronic book; playing a board game; sitting in a car; being pushed while passively sitting in a manual wheelchair.

Term	7. Sitting
General Definition	A position in which one's weight is supported by one's buttocks rather than one's feet, and in which one's back is upright.
Caveats	Active sitting: Active sitting refers to any waking activity in a sitting posture characterized by an energy expenditure > 1.5 METs. Passive sitting: Passive sitting refers to any waking activity in a sitting posture characterized by an energy expenditure ≤ 1.5 METs. General definition applies to all age and ability groups.
Examples	Active sitting: Working on a seated assembly line; playing guitar while seated; using devices that engage ones feet/legs while seated; doing arm ergometry while in a wheelchair. Passive sitting: Refer to sedentary behavior examples while sitting.

Term	8. Reclining
General Definition	Reclining is a body position between sitting and lying.
Caveats	General definition applies to all age and ability groups. Reclining behavior can be either passive (≤ 1.5 METs) or active (>1.5 METs).
Examples	Passive reclining (all age and ability groups): Lounging/slouching on a chair or couch while sedentary. Active reclining (all age and ability groups): Recumbent cycling.

Term	9. Lying
General Definition	Lying refers to being in a horizontal position on a supporting surface.
Caveats	General definition applies to all age and ability groups. Lying behavior can be either passive (≤ 1.5 METs) or active (>1.5 METs).
Examples	Passive lying (all age and ability groups): Lying on a couch, bed or floor while sedentary. Active lying (all age and ability groups): Isometric plank hold.

Term	10. Sedentary Behavior Pattern
General Definition	The manner in which sedentary behavior is accumulated throughout the day or week while awake (e.g., the timing, duration and frequency of sedentary bouts and breaks).
Caveats	General definition applies to all age and ability groups.
Examples	Prolonger: Someone who accumulates sedentary time in extended continuous bouts. Breaker: Someone who accumulates sedentary time with frequent interruptions and in short bouts.

MET = metabolic equivalent corresponding to resting metabolic rate of the population under study. A metabolic equivalent is deemed to be 3.5 ml O2/kg/min in adults without mobility impairment or chronic disease. A metabolic equivalent is generally higher in children and in those with conditions that elevate muscle activity or metabolism and is generally lower in those with paralysis, small muscle mass or wasting conditions. The interpretation of MET values should be made with attention to the population under study, and the definitions and caveats above applied accordingly.