Table 5 Final definitions, caveats and examples of key terms from the Sedentary Behavior Research Network (SBRN) Terminology Consensus Project
From: Sedentary Behavior Research Network (SBRN) – Terminology Consensus Project process and outcome
Term | 1. Physical Inactivity |
General definition | An insufficient physical activity level to meet present physical activity recommendations [45, 80, 81]. |
Caveats | General definition applies to all age and ability groups. |
Examples | • Toddlers and preschoolers (1–4 years): Not achieving 180 min of physical activity of any intensity per day [45]. • Children and youth (5–17 years): Not achieving 60 min of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity per day [81]. • Adults (≥ 18 years): Not achieving 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity per week or 75 min of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity [81]. |
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 [25]. |
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 [17, 37]. • 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 [51] and preschoolers (1–4 years), children and youth (5–17 years) [48,49,50,51,52] adults (≥ 18 years) and all ability groups [82]: 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 [83]. |
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 [84]. • 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 [15, 85]. 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 [44]. • 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 [83]. |
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 | 8. Lying |
General definition | Lying refers to being in a horizontal position on a supporting surface [83]. |
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 | 9. 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) [19, 69]. |
Caveats | General definition applies to all age and ability groups. |
Examples | Prolonger: Someone who accumulates sedentary time in extended continuous bouts [1]. Breaker: Someone who accumulates sedentary time with frequent interruptions and in short bouts [1]. |