Background: Circumpolar regions are undergoing social and economic transition, which often corresponds to a behavioural transition. Yet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour are rarely objectively measured within these groups.
Aim: This study aimed to characterize objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour in a sample of indigenous Siberians.
Subjects and methods: Yakut (Sakha) adults (n = 68, 32 men) underwent anthropometry, interviews and wore a triaxial accelerometer for two days. Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or sedentary behaviour was calculated using a single axis and also all three axes.
Results: Men spent significantly more time in MVPA than women, although no sex difference was found in sedentary behaviour. Participants were far more active and less sedentary when classified using all three axes (vector magnitude) than a single axis. Television viewing time significantly related to sedentary behaviour in men only.
Conclusion: The Yakut have gender differences in amount and predictors of physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Triaxial accelerometry is more sensitive to daily physical activity in free living populations than single axis.