Association Between Acceptable Walking Time and Moderate-intensity Physical Activity Among Japanese Office Workers: A Cross-sectional Validation Study

Physical inactivity is a global challenge and can be combated by integrating walking for transportation into the lifestyle of working-age populations. Acceptable walking time (AWT) is a psychological predictor of walking for transportation but requires objective validation. We used accelerometry to compare the criterion-related validity of AWT against objectively measured moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) and step counts in Japanese office workers (n = 95; 65.3% female; mean age, 45.5 years) in Okinawa Prefecture. AWT was assessed by asking “What distance (minutes) would you walk to a destination?” Physical activity was objectively measured using ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers for 7–8 d and analyzed for all-day averages and for workdays and non-workdays. Linear regression was used, adjusting for covariates. Significant linear trends between AWT and physical activity were observed for all-day averages, with MPA increasing by 18.6 min and step counts by 2,207 steps per AWT category. On workdays, MPA increased by 16.2 min and step counts by 1,748 steps per category. No consistent trends were observed on non-workdays. The criterion-related validity of AWT was confirmed, showing linear trends with objectively measured MPA and step counts on workdays. AWT is useful for evaluating physical activity levels through walking for transportation among working-age populations.