Children (Apr 2023)

Association between Chronotype and Physical Behaviours in Adolescent Girls

  • Tatiana Plekhanova,
  • Emily Crawley,
  • Melanie J. Davies,
  • Trish Gorely,
  • Deirdre M. Harrington,
  • Ekaterini Ioannidou,
  • Kamlesh Khunti,
  • Alex V. Rowlands,
  • Lauren B. Sherar,
  • Tom Yates,
  • Charlotte L. Edwardson

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/children10050819
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 5
p. 819

Abstract

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The aim of this study was to (1) describe accelerometer-assessed physical behaviours by chronotype, and (2) examine the association between chronotype and accelerometer-assessed physical behaviours in a cohort of adolescent girls. Chronotype (single question) and physical behaviours (GENEActiv accelerometer on the non-dominant wrist) were assessed in 965 adolescent girls (13.9 ± 0.8 years). Linear mixed-effects models examined the relationships among chronotype and physical behaviours (time in bed, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sedentary time, overall, light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) on weekdays and weekend days. Over the 24 h day, participants spent 46% sedentary, 20% in light activity, 3% in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and 31% in ‘time in bed’. Seventy percent of participants identified as ‘evening’ chronotypes. Compared to evening chronotypes, morning chronotypes engaged in less sedentary time (10 min/day) and had higher overall physical activity (1.3 mg/day, ~30 min of slow walking) on weekdays. Most girls identified as evening chronotypes with a large proportion of their day spent sedentary and a small amount in physical activities which may be exacerbated in evening chronotypes on weekdays. The results maybe be important for programmes aiming to promote physical activity in adolescent girls.

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