Adults' physical activity patterns across life domains: cluster analysis with replication.
OBJECTIVE
Identifying adults' physical activity patterns across multiple life domains could inform the design of interventions and policies.


METHODS
Cluster analysis was conducted with adults in two U.S. regions (Baltimore/Washington, DC, n = 702; Seattle, WA [King County], n = 987) to identify different physical activity patterns based on adults' reported physical activity across four life domains: leisure, occupation, transport, and home. Objectively measured physical activity, and psychosocial and built (physical) environment characteristics of activity patterns were examined.


METHODS
Accelerometer-measured activity, reported domain-specific activity, psychosocial characteristics, built environment, body mass index.


RESULTS
Three clusters replicated (κ = .90-.93) across both regions: Low Activity, Active Leisure, and Active Job. The Low Activity and Active Leisure adults were demographically similar, but Active Leisure adults had the highest psychosocial and built environment support for activity, highest accelerometer-measured activity, and lowest body mass index. Compared to the other clusters, the Active Job cluster had lower socioeconomic status and intermediate accelerometer-measured activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Adults can be clustered into groups based on their patterns of accumulating physical activity across life domains. Differences in psychosocial and built environment support between the identified clusters suggest that tailored interventions for different subgroups may be beneficial.
Rovniak
Liza S
LS
Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine.
Sallis
James F
JF
Department of Psychology, San Diego State University.
Saelens
Brian E
BE
University of Washington.
Frank
Lawrence D
LD
School of Community and Regional Planning, University of British Columbia.
Marshall
Simon J
SJ
School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University.
Norman
Gregory J
GJ
0000-0001-7989-9597
Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, University of California.
Conway
Terry L
TL
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University.
Cain
Kelli L
KL
Department of Psychology, San Diego State University.
Hovell
Melbourne F
MF
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015142:Baltimore; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004219:District of Columbia; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014861:Washington