Study design, materials and methods
The study use data from the HUNT4 study which is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2017-2019. Women >18 years in a community in Norway were invited. Only women >30 years were asked about continence status and eligible for this study. Primary outcome was SUI, assessed with a questionnaire. Level of physical activity was measured with two triaxial accelerometers, one placed on the thigh and one at the lower back (L3 level). Participants were encouraged to wear the accelerometers on seven consecutive days, and the participants movement and sedentary time was measured continuously. Level of physical activity was calculated as total daily physical activity and weekly moderate-vigorous physical activity measured with MET (metabolic equivalent).
Interpretation of results
The strength of the present study is the use of accelerometers to assess physical activity. Our results support previous studies using self-reports of physical activity, thus strengthening the association between SUI and lower levels of physical activity. Although we cannot conclude on causality between SUI and sedentary behavior, physical inactivity is a major concern for public health.