This definition of sedentary behaviour has been widely accepted. Such standardization of terms should be encouraged, as it is essential for cross-study comparability.

Cheers,

Zeljko

I agree with Zeljko that standardisation of terms should be encouraged. I do however think that as this is term which is frequently interpreted differently and so you will need to state how you define it when you use it. I think, we can be pretty certain that this term will continue to be used in a number of different ways, and though there are official standardised definitions, there is no guarantee that these will remain the same. 

Personally, I think "sedentary behaviour" should describe behaviour which is seated as that is what the latin root of the word suggests. I would describe levels of energy expenditure or intensity of physical activity in another separate term. Having said that, I use it in the same way that the Sedentary Behaviour Research Network defines it in most cases unless I specifically define it otherwise to make a point. 

Cheers,

Robert

You can see this work :

http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchObject.action?uri=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0063171&representation=PDF

Hi,

I personally agree the definition by SBRN but it could be revised.  In  the literature on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes, effects of sedentary behaviors are explained by lack of general muscle contraction and so I think both posture (sitting/lying down) and intensity should be included as elements.  But, the problem is that most of prior studies have operationally defined and measured sedentary behaviors based on either posture (self-report measures) or intensity (accelerometer devices, except for some like ActiPal or IDEEA) only. You can see a discussion about the definition here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25222816

Hi,

I agree that both level of intensity and a sitting or lying posture should be part of the definition. If one goes with just posture, there are different higher intensity exercises that are conducted in a sitting or lying positon. The definition by the Sedentary Behaviour Network works well.

Yes, I do. The term sedentary behaviour may be defined as minimal energy expenditure (1 to 1.5 metabolic equivalent multiples of rest) that typically involves sitting or lying down (Pate RR, O’Neill JR, Lobelo F. The evolving definition of sedentary. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2008; 36: 173–178.) Is that the definition you are talkink about?

I welcome important question. Sitting and lying are different states please see   http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/full/10.1139/h2012-123#.VTEYMfmsX_F