ORCID Profile
0000-0001-9587-3944
Current Organisations
University of South Carolina
,
Queensland University of Technology
,
University of Queensland
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Research Topics
In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Top 5 Research Topics
ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)
Health Promotion | Landscape Architecture | Architecture | Health Promotion | Public Health and Health Services | Human Geography | Information Systems | Exercise Physiology | Recreation And Leisure Studies | Family And Household Studies | Computer-Human Interaction
ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)
Expanding Knowledge in Built Environment and Design | Behaviour and Health | Diagnostic Methods | Child Health | Health education and promotion | Primary education | Behaviour and health | Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences | Expanding Knowledge in Technology |
Related Links
Publications
Predictive Validity of Three ActiGraph Energy Expenditure Equations for Children
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 02-2006
Physical Activity Patterns of Inner-City Elementary Schoolchildren
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 03-2013
Physical Activity, Obesity Status, and Blood Pressure in Preschool Children
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPEDS.2015.04.031
Abstract: To examine the combined effects of physical activity and weight status on blood pressure (BP) in preschool-aged children. The s le included 733 preschool-aged children (49% female). Physical activity was objectively assessed on 7 consecutive days by accelerometry. Children were categorized as sufficiently active if they met the recommendation of at least 60 minutes daily of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Body mass index was used to categorize children as nonoverweight or overweight/obese, according to the International Obesity Task Force benchmarks. BP was measured using an automated BP monitor and categorized as elevated or normal using BP percentile-based cut-points for age, sex, and height. The prevalence of elevated systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP was 7.7% and 3.0%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight/obese was 32%, and about 15% of children did not accomplish the recommended 60 minutes of daily MVPA. After controlling for age and sex, overweight/obese children who did not meet the daily MVPA recommendation were 3 times more likely (OR 3.8 CI 1.6-8.6) to have elevated SBP than nonoverweight children who met the daily MVPA recommendation. Overweight or obese preschool-aged children with insufficient levels of MVPA are at significantly greater risk for elevated SBP than their nonoverweight and sufficiently active counterparts.
Promoting physical activity to older adults: A preliminary evaluation of three general practice-based strategies
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2005
DOI: 10.1016/S1440-2440(05)80060-X
Abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of an exercise scientist (ES) working in general practice to promote physical activity (PA) to 55 to 70 year old adults. Participants were randomised into one of three groups: either brief verbal and written advice from a general practitioner (GP) (G1, N=9): or in idualised counselling and follow-up telephone calls from an ES, either with (G3, N=8) or without a pedometer (G2, N=11). PA levels were assessed at week 1, after the 12-wk intervention and again at 24 weeks. After the 12-wk intervention, the average increase in PA was 116 (SD=237) min/wk: N=28, p<0.001. Although there were no statistically significant between-group differences, the average increases in PA among G2 and G3 participants were 195 (SD=207) and 138 (SD=315) min/wk respectively, compared with no change (0.36, SD=157) in G1. After 24 weeks, average PA levels remained 56 (SD=129) min/wk higher than in week 1. The small numbers of participants in this feasibility study limit the power to detect significant differences between groups, but it would appear that in idualised counselling and follow-up contact from an ES, with or without a pedometer, can result in substantial changes in PA levels. A larger study is now planned to confirm these findings.
An Instrument to Assess the Obesogenic Environment of Child Care Centers
Publisher: JCFCorp SG PTE LTD
Date: 2008
DOI: 10.5993/AJHB.32.4.5
Non-wear or sleep? Evaluation of five non-wear detection algorithms for raw accelerometer data
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 11-12-2020
DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2019.1703301
Abstract: Detection of non-wear periods is an important step in accelerometer data processing. This study evaluated five non-wear detection algorithms for wrist accelerometer data and two rules for non-wear detection when non-wear and sleep algorithms are implemented in parallel. Non-wear algorithms were based on the standard deviation (SD), the high-pass filtered acceleration, or tilt angle. Rules for differentiating sleep from non-wear consisted of an override rule in which any overlap between non-wear and sleep was deemed non-wear and a 75% rule in which non-wear periods were deemed sleep if the duration was < 75% of the sleep period. Non-wear algorithms were evaluated in 47 children who wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer during school hours for 5 days. Rules for differentiating sleep from non-wear were evaluated in 15 adults who wore a GeneActiv Original accelerometer continuously for 24 hours. Classification accuracy for the non-wear algorithms ranged between 0.86-0.95, with the SD of the vector magnitude providing the best performance. The override rule misclassified 37.1 minutes of sleep as non-wear, while the 75% rule resulted in no misclassification. Non-wear algorithms based on the SD of the acceleration signal can effectively detect non-wear periods, while application of the 75% rule can effectively differentiate sleep from non-wear when examined concurrently.
Psychometric properties of instruments to measure parenting practices and children’s movement behaviors in low-income families from Brazil
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-06-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S12874-021-01320-Y
Abstract: Childhood obesity has increased remarkably in low and middle-income (LMIC) countries. Movement behaviors (physical activity, screen time, and sleep) are crucial in the development of overweight and obesity in young children. Yet, few studies have investigated the relationship between children’s movement behaviors and parenting practices because validated measures for use among families from LMIC are lacking. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of previously validated measures of young children’s physical activity, screen time, and sleep and parenting practices, translated and culturally adapted to Brazilian families. A total of 78 parent-child dyads completed an interviewer-administered survey twice within 7 days. Child physical activity, sedentary time and sleep were concurrently measured using a wrist-worn accelerometer. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability was assessed using McDonald’s Omega and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC’s). Concurrent validity was evaluated by calculating Spearman correlations between parent reported child behaviors and accelerometer measured behaviors. Seventeen of the 19 parenting practices scales exhibited acceptable internal consistency reliability (Ω ≥ 0.70). Test-retest reliability ICC’s were acceptable and ranged from 0.82 - 0.99. Parent reported child physical activity was positively correlated with objectively measured total movement (rho= 0.29 - 0.46, p .05) and energetic play (rho= 0.29 – 0.40, p .05). Parent reported child screen time was positively correlated with objectively measured sedentary time (rho = 0.26, p .05), and inversely correlated with total movement (rho = - 0.39 – - 0.41, p .05) and energetic play (rho = - 0.37 – - 0.41, p .05). Parent reported night-time sleep duration was significantly correlated with accelerometer measured sleep duration on weekdays (rho = 0.29, p .05), but not weekends. Measurement tools to assess children’s movement behaviors and parenting practices, translated and culturally adapted for use in Brazilian families, exhibited acceptable evidence of concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability.
Measurement of General and Specific Approaches to Physical Activity Parenting: A Systematic Review
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 08-2013
Construct Validity of the Both Hands Assessment Using Wrist-Worn Accelerometers
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 14-05-2023
Comparison of intensity-based cut-points for the RT3 accelerometer in youth
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.JSAMS.2013.10.248
Abstract: To compare the classification accuracy of previously published RT3 accelerometer cut-points for youth using energy expenditure, measured via portable indirect calorimetry, as a criterion measure. Cross-sectional cross-validation study. 100 children (mean age 11.2 ± 2.8 years, 61% male) completed 12 standardized activities trials (3 sedentary, 5 lifestyle and 4 ambulatory) while wearing an RT3 accelerometer. VO2 was measured concurrently using the Oxycon Mobile portable calorimeter. Cut-points by Vanhelst (VH), Rowlands (RW), Chu (CH), Kavouras (KV) and the RT3 manufacturer (RT3M) were used to classify PA intensity as sedentary (SED), light (LPA), moderate (MPA) or vigorous (VPA). Classification accuracy was evaluated using the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) and weighted Kappa (κ). For moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), VH, KV and RW exhibited excellent accuracy classification (ROC-AUC ≥ 0.90), while the CH and RT3M exhibited good classification accuracy (ROC-AUC>0.80). Classification accuracy for LPA was fair to poor (ROC-AUC 0.90), while RW, CH, and RT3M exhibited good classification accuracy (ROC-AUC>0.80). Kappa statistics ranged from 0.67 (VH) to 0.55 (CH). All cut-points provided acceptable classification accuracy for SED and MVPA, but limited accuracy for LPA. On the basis of classification accuracy over all four levels of intensity, the use of the VH cut-points is recommended.
The level and pattern of physical activity among fifth-grade students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.PUHE.2018.03.021
Abstract: Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA), a significant proportion of children do not meet physical activity guidelines (PAGs). However, most studies were among secondary-school-aged youth and relied on PA self-report. In addition, information regarding children's PA behaviors during specific segments of day/week is not usually collected. This study, therefore, investigated the level and pattern of PA among fifth-grade students in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. A complex cross-sectional survey was conducted on a representative s le of 619 fifth-grade students in eight public schools in urban areas of HCMC in 2016. Demographic/anthropometric characteristics were measured using standard protocols. PA was measured using pedometers. After-school activities were measured using the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall questionnaire. Survey procedures with s ling weights were used for analyses. Approximately 18% of children met the PAG 52.7% were overweight (OW)/obese (OB). On average, students recorded about 8800 steps/day. Boys were more active than girls at school and on weekdays. Students were more active at school on physical education (PE) days vs non-PE days and weekdays vs weekends. OW/OB students were more active at school on PE days. After-school PAs differed between boys and girls, whereas sedentary activities were popular among both the genders. Most fifth-grade students had insufficient PA levels. Patterns of PA are different at various times during the day and week. The finding emphasized an urgent need for interventions to improve children's PA and obesity in this area.
Social capital and health in rural and urban communities in South Australia
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1753-6405.2009.00332.X
Abstract: This paper seeks to compare the relationships between social capital and health for rural and urban residents of South Australia. Using data from a South Australian telephone survey of 2,013 respondents (1,402 urban and 611 rural), separate path analyses for the rural and urban s les were used to compare the relationships between six social capital measures, six demographic variables, and mental and physical health (measured by the SF-12). Higher levels of networks, civic participation and cohesion were reported in rural areas. Education and income were consistently linked with social capital variables for both rural and urban participants, with those on higher incomes and with higher educational achievement having higher levels of social capital. However, there were also differences between the rural and urban groups in some of the other predictors of social capital variables. Mental health was better among rural participants, but there was no significant difference for physical health. Social capital was associated with good mental health for both urban and rural participants, but with physical health only for urban participants. Higher levels of social capital were significantly associated with better mental health for both urban and rural participants, but with better physical health only for urban participants. The study found that social capital and its relationship to health differed for participants in rural and urban areas, and that there were also differences between the areas in associations with socioeconomic variables. Policies aiming to strengthen social capital in order to promote health need to be designed for specific settings and particular communities within these.
Evaluating a model of parental influence on youth physical activity
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2003
DOI: 10.1016/S0749-3797(03)00217-4
Abstract: To test a conceptual model linking parental physical activity orientations, parental support for physical activity, and children's self-efficacy perceptions with physical activity participation. The s le consisted of 380 students in grades 7 through 12 (mean age, 14.0+/-1.6 years) and their parents. Data collection took place during the fall of 1996. Parents completed a questionnaire assessing their physical activity habits, enjoyment of physical activity, beliefs regarding the importance of physical activity, and supportive behaviors for their child's physical activity. Students completed a 46-item inventory assessing physical activity during the previous 7 days and a 5-item physical activity self-efficacy scale. The model was tested via observed variable path analysis using structural equation modeling techniques (AMOS 4.0). An initial model, in which parent physical activity orientations predicted child physical activity via parental support and child self-efficacy, did not provide an acceptable fit to the data. Inclusion of a direct path from parental support to child physical activity and deletion of a nonsignificant path from parental physical activity to child physical activity significantly improved model fit. Standardized path coefficients for the revised model ranged from 0.17 to 0.24, and all were significant at the p<0.0001 level. Parental support was an important correlate of youth physical activity, acting directly or indirectly through its influence on self-efficacy. Physical activity interventions targeted at youth should include and evaluate the efficacy of in idual-level and community-level strategies to increase parents' capacity to provide instrumental and motivational support for their children's physical activity.
Advances in the science of objective physical activity monitoring: 3rd International Conference on Ambulatory Monitoring of Physical Activity and Movement
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 11-06-2014
Corrigendum: Wrist acceleration cut points for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in youth (Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (2018) 50:3 (609-616) DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001449)
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 11-2018
Developmental trends in the energy cost of physical activities performed by youth
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 06-2016
Abstract: Published energy cost data for children and adolescents are lacking. The purpose of this study was to measure and describe developmental trends in the energy cost of 12 physical activities commonly performed by youth. A mixed age cohort of 209 participants completed 12 standardized activity trials on 4 occasions over a 3-year period (baseline, 12-months, 24-months, and 36-months) while wearing a portable indirect calorimeter. Bayesian hierarchical regression was used to link growth curves from each age cohort into a single curve describing developmental trends in energy cost from age 6 to 18 years. For sedentary and light-intensity household chores, YOUTH METs (METy) remained stable or declined with age. In contrast, METy values associated with brisk walking, running, basketball, and dance increased with age. The reported energy costs for specific activities will contribute to efforts to update and expand the youth compendium.
Correlates of sedentary behaviours in preschool children : a review
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2010
Increasing physical activity among young children from disadvantaged communities: Study protocol of a group randomised controlled effectiveness trial
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-10-2016
Efficacy of Participation-Focused Therapy on Performance of Physical Activity Participation Goals and Habitual Physical Activity in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.APMR.2018.11.012
Abstract: To determine the efficacy of a participation-focused therapy (ParticiPAte CP) on leisure-time physical activity goal performance and satisfaction and habitual physical activity (HPA) in children with CP. Randomized waitlist-controlled trial. Home and community. Children classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-III were recruited (n=37 18 males mean age ± SD, 10.0±1.4y) from a population-based register. Participants were randomized to ParticiPAte CP (an 8-wk goal-directed, in idualized, participation-focused therapy delivered by a physical therapist) or waitlist usual care. The primary outcome was Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Accelerometers were worn for objective measurement of HPA (min/d moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA], sedentary time). Barriers to participation, community participation, and quality-of-life outcomes were also collected. Data were analyzed by intention-to-treat using generalized estimating equations. ParticiPAte CP led to significant improvements in goal performance (mean difference [MD]=3.58 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.19-4.97 P<.001), satisfaction (MD=1.87 95% CI, 0.37-3.36, P=.014), and barriers to participation (MD=26.39 95% CI, 6.13-46.67 P=.011) compared with usual care at 8 weeks. There were no between-group differences on minutes per day of MVPA at 8 weeks (MD=1.17 95% CI, -13.27 to 15.61 P=.874). There was a significant difference in response to intervention between participants who were versus were not meeting HPA guidelines at baseline (MD=15.85 95% CI, 3.80-27.89 P<.0061). After ParticiPAte CP, low active participants had increased average MVPA by 5.98±12.16 minutes per day. ParticiPAte CP was effective at increasing perceived performance of leisure-time physical activity goals in children with CP GMFCS I-III by reducing modifiable barriers to participation. This did not translate into change in HPA on average however, low active children may have a clinically meaningful response.
Correlates of Physical Activity Behavior in Rural Youth
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-1997
DOI: 10.1080/02701367.1997.10608003
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify correlates of physical activity behavior in a s le of rural, predominantly African American youth. Three hundred sixty-one fifth-grade students from two rural counties in South Carolina (69% African American, median age = 11 years) completed a questionnaire designed to measure beliefs and social influences regarding physical activity, physical activity self-efficacy, perceived physical activity habits of family members and friends, and access to exercise and fitness equipment at home. After school physical activity and television watching were assessed using the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR). Students were classified as physically active according to a moderate physical activity standard: two or more 30-min blocks at an intensity of 3 METs (metabolic equivalents) or greater, and a vigorous physical activity standard: one or more 30-min blocks at an intensity of 6 METs or greater. According to the moderate physical activity standard, 34.9% of students were classified as low-active. Multivariate analysis revealed age, gender, television watching, and exercise equipment at home to be significant correlates of low activity status. According to the vigorous physical activity standard, 32.1% of the students were classified as low-active. Multivariate analysis revealed age, gender, television watching, and self-efficacy with respect to seeking support for physical activity to be significant correlates of low activity status. In summary, gender and the amount of television watching were found to be the most important correlates of physical activity in rural, predominantly African American youth.
90 Promoting physical activity to older adults in general practice
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2004
Age Related Differences in the Validity of the OMNI Perceived Exertion Scale During Lifestyle Activities
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 02-2015
Abstract: The OMNI perceived exertion scale was developed for children to report perceived effort while performing physical activity however no studies have formally examined age-related differences in validity. This study evaluated the validity of the OMNI-RPE in 4 age groups performing a range of lifestyle activities. 206 participants were stratified into four age groups: 6-8 years ( n = 42), 9-10 years ( n = 46), 11-12 years ( n = 47), and 13-15 years ( n = 71). Heart rate and VO 2 were measured during 11 activity trials ranging in intensity from sedentary to vigorous. After each trial, participants reported effort from the OMNI walk/run scale. Concurrent validity was assessed by calculating within-subject correlations between OMNI ratings and the two physiological indices. The average correlation between OMNI ratings and VO 2 was 0.67, 0.77, 0.85, and 0.87 for the 6-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-15 y age groups, respectively. The OMNI RPE scale demonstrated fair to good evidence of validity across a range of lifestyle activities among 6- to 15-year-old children. The validity of the scale appears to be developmentally related with RPE reports closely reflecting physiological responses among children older than 8 years.
Life transitions and changing physical activity patterns in young women
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2003
DOI: 10.1016/S0749-3797(03)00119-3
Abstract: Physical activity (PA) patterns are likely to change in young adulthood in line with changes in lifestyle that occur in the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether key life events experienced by young women in their early twenties are associated with increasing levels of inactivity. This was a 4-year follow-up of 7281 participants (aged 18 to 23 years at baseline) in the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health, with self-reported measures of PA, life events, body mass index (BMI), and sociodemographic variables. The cross-sectional data indicated no change in PA between baseline (57% "active") and follow-up (56% "active"). However, for almost 40% of the s le, PA category changed between baseline and follow-up, with approximately 20% of the women changing from being "active" to "inactive," and another 20% changing from being "inactive" to "active." After adjustment for age, other sociodemographic variables, BMI, and PA at baseline, women who reported getting married, having a first or subsequent child, or beginning paid work were more likely to be inactive at follow-up than those who did not report these events. The results suggest that life events such as getting married, having children, and starting work are associated with decreased levels of PA in young adult women. Strategies are needed to promote maintenance of activity at the time when most women experience these key life-stage transitions.
Differences in Physical Activity Between Black and White Girls Living in Rural and Urban Areas
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-2002
DOI: 10.1111/J.1746-1561.2002.TB07338.X
Abstract: This study examined the relationship of race and rural/urban setting to physical, behavioral, psychosocial, and environmental factors associated with physical activity. Subjects included 1,668 eighth-grade girls from 31 middle schools: 933 from urban settings, and 735 from rural settings. Forty-six percent of urban girls and 59% of rural girls were Black. One-way and two-way ANOVAs with school as a covariate were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that most differences were associated with race rather than setting. Black girls were less active than White girls, reporting significantly fewer 30-minute blocks of both vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Black girls also spent more time watching television, and had higher BMIs and greater prevalence of overweight than White girls. However, enjoyment of physical education and family involvement in physical activity were greater among Black girls than White girls. Rural White girls and urban Black girls had more favorable attitudes toward physical activity. Access to sports equipment, perceived safety of neighborhood, and physical activity self-efficacy were higher in White girls than Black girls.
Reliability and Validity of Objective Measures of Physical Activity in Youth With Cerebral Palsy Who Are Ambulatory
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.2522/PTJ.20140201
Abstract: Physical therapy for youth with cerebral palsy (CP) who are ambulatory includes interventions to increase functional mobility and participation in physical activity (PA). Thus, reliable and valid measures are needed to document PA in youth with CP. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inter-instrument reliability and concurrent validity of 3 accelerometer-based motion sensors with indirect calorimetry as the criterion for measuring PA intensity in youth with CP. Fifty-seven youth with CP (mean age=12.5 years, SD=3.3 51% female 49.1% with spastic hemiplegia) participated. Inclusion criteria were: aged 6 to 20 years, ambulatory, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I through III, able to follow directions, and able to complete the full PA protocol. Protocol activities included standardized activity trials with increasing PA intensity (resting, writing, household chores, active video games, and walking at 3 self-selected speeds), as measured by weight-relative oxygen uptake (in mL/kg/min). During each trial, participants wore bilateral accelerometers on the upper arms, waist/hip, and ankle and a portable indirect calorimeter. Intraclass coefficient correlations (ICCs) were calculated to evaluate inter-instrument reliability (left-to-right accelerometer placement). Spearman correlations were used to examine concurrent validity between accelerometer output (activity and step counts) and indirect calorimetry. Friedman analyses of variance with post hoc pair-wise analyses were conducted to examine the validity of accelerometers to discriminate PA intensity across activity trials. All accelerometers exhibited excellent inter-instrument reliability (ICC=.94–.99) and good concurrent validity (rho=.70–.85). All accelerometers discriminated PA intensity across most activity trials. This PA protocol consisted of controlled activity trials. Accelerometers provide valid and reliable measures of PA intensity among youth with CP.
Physical activity guidelines and preschooler's obesity status
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-06-2013
DOI: 10.1038/IJO.2013.109
Abstract: The benefits of promoting physical activity (PA) in counteracting the high prevalence of childhood obesity have become increasingly important in the past decade. The aim of this study was to examine the association between compliance of daily PA recommendations and the risk of being overweight or obese in preschool-aged children. The s le comprised 607 children aged 4-6 years, recruited from kindergartens located in the metropolitan area of Porto, Portugal. Preschooler's body mass index was classified according to International Obesity Task Force. PA was assessed during 7 consecutive days by accelerometer. Children were classified as meeting or not meeting PA recommendations based on two guidelines: (i) at least 3 h per day of total PA (TPA) and (ii) at least 1 h per day of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 23.5 and 10.6% in girls and 17.2 and 8.9% in boys. In all, 90.2 and 97.3% of girls met the ≥ 1 h MVPA and ≥ 3 h TPA recommendations, respectively. In all, 96.2 and 99.4% boys met the ≥ 1 h MVPA and 3 h TPA recommendations, respectively. Boys were significantly more likely to achieve the ≥ 1 h MVPA and ≥ 3 h TPA recommendations than girls (P ≤ 0.001). Not meeting the ≥ 1 h MVPA guideline was associated with obesity status (OR: 3.8 IC: 1.3-10.4), in girls, but not boys. No other statistically significant associations were found. These findings suggest that over 90% of children met the recommended guidelines. There is an association with low levels of MVPA and higher obesity status among preschool girls. Further, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these data.
Acute effects of reducing sitting time in adolescents: A randomized cross-over study
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-08-2017
Accelerometer validity and placement for detection of changes in physical activity in dogs under controlled conditions on a treadmill
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.RVSC.2011.08.005
Abstract: The objective of the research was to determine the optimal location and method of attachment for accelerometer-based motion sensors, and to validate their ability to differentiate rest and increases in speed in healthy dogs moving on a treadmill. Two accelerometers were placed on a harness between the scapulae of dogs with one in a pouch and one directly attached to the harness. Two additional accelerometers were placed (pouched and not pouched) ventrally on the dog's collar. Data were recorded in 1s epochs with dogs moving in stages lasting 3 min each on a treadmill: (1) at rest, lateral recumbency, (2) treadmill at 0% slope, 3 km/h, (3) treadmill at 0% slope, 5 km/h, (4) treadmill at 0% slope, 7 km/h, (5) treadmill at 5% slope, 5 km/h, and (6) treadmill at 5% slope, 7 km/h. Only the harness with the accelerometer in a pouch along the dorsal midline yielded statistically significant increases (P<0.05) in vector magnitude as walking speed of the dogs increased (5-7 km/h) while on the treadmill. Statistically significant increases in vector magnitude were detected in the dogs as the walking speed increased from 5 to 7 km/h, however, changes in vector magnitude were not detected when activity intensity was increased as a result of walking up a 5% grade. Accelerometers are a valid and objective tool able to discriminate between and monitor different levels of activity in dogs in terms of speed of movement but not in energy expenditure that occurs with movement up hill.
Translation of a behavioral weight loss intervention for mid‐life, low‐income women in local health departments
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-05-2013
DOI: 10.1002/OBY.20317
Abstract: To translate a behavioral weight loss intervention for mid-life, low-income women in real world settings. In this pragmatic clinical trial, we randomly selected six North Carolina county health departments and trained their current staff to deliver a 16-session evidence-based behavioral weight loss intervention (special intervention, SI). SI weight loss outcomes were compared to a delayed intervention (DI) control group. Of 432 women expressing interest, 189 completed baseline measures and were randomized within health departments to SI (N = 126) or DI (N = 63). At baseline, average age was 51 years, 53% were African American, mean weight was 100 kg, and BMI averaged 37 kg/m2 . A total of 96 (76%) SI and 55 (87%) DI participants returned for 5-month follow-up measures. The crude weight change was -3.1 kg in the SI and -0.4 kg in the DI group, for a difference of 2.8 kg (95% CI 1.4 to 4.1, p = 0.0001). Diet quality and physical activity improved significantly more in the SI group, and estimated intervention costs were $327 per participant. This pragmatic short-term weight loss intervention targeted to low-income mid-life women yielded meaningful weight loss when translated to the county health department setting.
Compliance with Physical Activity Guidelines Prevalence in a Population of Children and Youth
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2002
DOI: 10.1016/S1047-2797(01)00263-0
Abstract: To use objective monitoring of physical activity to determine the percentages of children and youth in a population that met physical activity guidelines. A total of 375 students in grades 1-12 wore an accelerometer (CSA 7164) for seven consecutive days. Bouts of continuous activity and accumulation of minutes spent in physical activity at various intensities were calculated to determine how many students met three physical activity guidelines. Over 90% of students met Healthy People 2010, Objective 22.6 and nearly 70% met the United Kingdom Expert Consensus Group guideline, both of which recommend daily accumulation of moderate physical activity. Less than 3% met Healthy People 2010, Objective 22.7, which calls for bouts of continuous vigorous physical activity. For the United Kingdom Expert Consensus Group guideline, compliance decreased markedly with age, but gender differences were not statistically significant. Prevalence estimates for compliance with national physical activity guidelines varied markedly for the three guidelines examined. Objective monitoring of physical activity in youth appears to be feasible and may provide more accurate prevalence rates than self-report measures.
Validity of accelerometry for measurement of activity in people with brain injury
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 09-2005
DOI: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000177584.43330.AE
Abstract: To evaluate the validity of a uniaxial accelerometer (MTI Actigraph) for measuring physical activity in people with acquired brain injury (ABI) using portable indirect calorimetry (Cosmed K4b(2)) as a criterion measure. Fourteen people with ABI and related gait pattern impairment (age 32 +/- 8 yr) wore an MTI Actigraph that measured activity (counts.min(-1)) and a Cosmed K4b(2) that measured oxygen consumption (mL.kg(-1).min(-1)) during four activities: quiet sitting (QS) and comfortable paced (CP), brisk paced (BP), and fast paced (FP) walking. MET levels were predicted from Actigraph counts using a published equation and compared with Cosmed measures. Predicted METs for each of the 56 activity bouts (14 participants x 4 bouts) were classified (light, moderate, vigorous, or very vigorous intensity) and compared with Cosmed-based classifications. Repeated-measures ANOVA indicated that walking condition intensities were significantly different (P < 0.05) and the Actigraph detected the differences. Overall correlation between measured and predicted METs was positive, moderate, and significant (r = 0.74). Mean predicted METs were not significantly different from measured for CP and BP, but for FP walking, predicted METs were significantly less than measured (P < 0.05). The Actigraph correctly classified intensity for 76.8% of all activity bouts and 91.5% of light- and moderate-intensity bouts. Actigraph counts provide a valid index of activity across the intensities investigated in this study. For light to moderate activity, Actigraph-based estimates of METs are acceptable for group-level analysis and are a valid means of classifying activity intensity. The Actigraph significantly underestimated higher intensity activity, although, in practice, this limitation will have minimal impact on activity measurement of most community-dwelling people with ABI.
Effects of short-duration and long-duration exercise on lipoprotein(a)
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 09-2001
DOI: 10.1097/00005768-200109000-00014
Abstract: Most studies that use either a single exercise session, exercise training, or a cross-sectional design have failed to find a relationship between exercise and plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentrations. However, a few studies investigating the effects of longer and/or more strenuous exercise have shown elevated Lp(a) concentrations, possibly as an acute-phase reactant to muscle damage. Based on the assumption that greater muscle damage would occur with exercise of longer duration, the purpose of the present study was to determine whether exercise of longer duration would increase Lp(a) concentration and creatine kinase (CK) activity more than exercise of shorter duration. Ten endurance-trained men (mean +/- SD: age, 27 +/- 6 yr maximal oxygen consumption [VO(2max)], 57 +/- 7 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) completed two separate exercise sessions at 70% VO(2max). One session required 800 kcal of energy expenditure (60 +/- 6 min), and the other required 1500 kcal (112 +/- 12 min). Fasted blood s les were taken immediately before (0-pre), immediately after (0-post), 1 d after (1-post), and 2 d after (2-post) each exercise session. CK activity increased after both exercise sessions (mean +/- SE 800 kcal: 0-pre 55 +/- 11, 1-post 168 +/- 64 U x L(-1) x min(-1) 1500 kcal: 0-pre 51 +/- 5, 1-post 187 +/- 30, 2-post 123 +/- 19 U x L(-1) x min(-1) P < 0.05). However, median Lp(a) concentrations were not altered by either exercise session (800 kcal: 0-pre 5.0 mg x dL(-1), 0-post 3.2 mg x dL(-1), 1-post 4.0 mg x dL(-1), 2-post 3.4 mg x dL(-1) 1500 kcal: 0-pre 5.8 mg x dL(-1), 0-post 4.3 mg x dL(-1), 1-post 3.2 mg x dL(-1), 2-post 5.3 mg x dL(-1)). In addition, no relationship existed between exercise-induced changes in CK activity and Lp(a) concentration (800 kcal: r = -0.26 1500 kcal: r = -0.02). These results suggest that plasma Lp(a) concentration will not increase in response to minor exercise-induced muscle damage in endurance-trained runners.
Agreement between Student-Reported and Proxy-Reported Physical Activity Questionnaires
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 08-2007
DOI: 10.1123/PES.19.3.310
Abstract: Parents and 531 students (46% males, 78% white) completed equivalent questionnaires. Agreement between student and parent responses to questions about hypothesized physical activity (PA) correlates was assessed. Relationships between hypothesized correlates and an objective measure of student’s moderate- to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a subset of 177 students were also investigated. Agreement between student and parent ranged from r = .34 to .64 for PA correlates. Spearman correlations between MVPA and PA correlates ranged from −.04 to .21 for student report and −.14 to .32 for parent report, and there were no statistical differences for 8 out of 9 correlations between parent and student. Parents can provide useful data on PA correlates for students in Grades 7–12.
Globalisation and social change
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Date: 08-11-2015
Study protocol for Healthy Conversations @ Playgroup: a multi-site cluster randomized controlled trial of an intervention to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours in young children attending community playgroups
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-09-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S12889-021-11789-3
Abstract: Early childhood is a critical window for preventing obesity and chronic disease. Yet, 1 in 4 Australian children aged 5 years and under are affected by overweight or obesity and significant proportions of children under 5 years fail to meet guidelines for diet quality, physical activity (PA), screen time, and sleep. Consequently, effective interventions to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and prevent obesity during early childhood are needed. Community playgroups provide an opportunity for parents, carers, and children to meet in a safe and relaxed environment to play and share information. The structure, low cost and reach of playgroups provide a unique platform to engage parents in a scalable program to promote healthful lifestyle behaviors and prevent childhood obesity. However, the evidence base for the effectiveness of health promotion programs delivered in community playgroup settings is limited and lacking credible evidence from rigorously conducted randomized controlled trials. The Healthy Conversations @ Playgroup randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to address the underlying behavioral risk factors for obesity by helping parents take effective steps to improve their child’s dietary, PA, screen time, and sleep behaviors. The intervention program comprises 10 “healthy conversations” led by a trained peer facilitator, designed to increase parents’ behavioral capability and self-efficacy to implement autonomy-supportive parenting practices. The program will be delivered biweekly during regularly scheduled playgroup sessions over 10-weeks. Effectiveness will be tested in a 2-arm cluster RCT involving 60 community playgroups in three states across Australia. After baseline assessments, participating playgroups will be randomly allocated to either intervention or wait-list control conditions. Primary outcomes (vegetable intake, discretionary foods, daily PA, screen time, sleep duration, and body mass index [BMI] z-score) will be assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention (10-weeks T2) and 6-months post-intervention (T3). Outcomes will be assessed for differential change at T2 and T3. The Healthy Conversations @ Playgroup trial will rigorously evaluate a novel peer-led intervention program to promote healthful lifestyle behaviors and prevent obesity in children and families attending community playgroups. If effective, the program could be immediately scaled-up and delivered in community playgroups across Australia. Trial registered 22nd January 2021 with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12621000055808 ).
Physical Activity Classification in Youth Using Raw Accelerometer Data from the Hip
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 23-01-2020
Laboratory-based and free-living algorithms for energy expenditure estimation in preschool children: A free-living evaluation
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 20-05-2020
Physical inactivity remains the greatest public health problem of the 21st century: evidence, improved methods and solutions using the ‘7 investments that work’ as a framework
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 10-01-2014
Values and learning approaches of students at an international university
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-05-2007
An Interactive Visualization Tool for Sensor-based Physical Activity Data Analysis
Publisher: ACM
Date: 29-01-2019
Chronic disease risks and use of a smartphone application during a physical activity and dietary intervention in Australian truck drivers
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2016
Abstract: This study examined chronic disease risks and the use of a smartphone activity tracking application during an intervention in Australian truck drivers (April-October 2014). Forty-four men (mean age=47.5 [SD 9.8] years) completed baseline health measures, and were subsequently offered access to a free wrist-worn activity tracker and smartphone application (Jawbone UP) to monitor step counts and dietary choices during a 20-week intervention. Chronic disease risks were evaluated against guidelines weekly step count and dietary logs registered by drivers in the application were analysed to evaluate use of the Jawbone UP. Chronic disease risks were high (e.g. 97% high waist circumference [≥ 94 cm]). Eighteen drivers (41%) did not start the intervention smartphone technical barriers were the main reason for drop out. Across 20-weeks, drivers who used the Jawbone UP logged step counts for an average of 6 [SD 1] days/week mean step counts remained consistent across the intervention (weeks 1-4=8,743[SD 2,867] steps/day weeks 17-20=8,994[SD 3,478] steps/day). The median number of dietary logs significantly decreased from start (17 [IQR 38] logs/weeks) to end of the intervention (0 [IQR 23] logs/week p<0.01) the median proportion of healthy diet choices relative to total diet choices logged increased across the intervention (weeks 1-4=38[IQR 21]% weeks 17-20=58[IQR 18]%). Step counts were more successfully monitored than dietary choices in those drivers who used the Jawbone UP. Smartphone technology facilitated active living and healthy dietary choices, but also prohibited intervention engagement in a number of these high-risk Australian truck drivers.
Maternal and paternal support for physical activity and healthy eating in preschool children: a cross-sectional study
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 28-09-2015
Age and gender differences in objectively measured physical activity in youth
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 02-2002
DOI: 10.1097/00005768-200202000-00025
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate age and gender differences in objectively measured physical activity (PA) in a population-based s le of students in grades 1-12. Participants (185 male, 190 female) wore a CSA 7164 accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. To examine age-related trends, students were grouped as follows: grades 1-3 (N = 90), grades 4-6 (N = 91), grades 7-9 (N = 96), and grades 10-12 (N = 92). Bouts of PA and minutes spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and vigorous PA (VPA) were examined. Daily MVPA and VPA exhibited a significant inverse relationship with grade level, with the largest differences occurring between grades 1-3 and 4-6. Boys were more active than girls however, for overall PA, the magnitudes of the gender differences were modest. Participation in continuous 20-min bouts of PA was low to nonexistent. Our results support the notion that PA declines rapidly during childhood and adolescence and that accelerometers are feasible alternatives to self-report methods in moderately sized population-level surveillance studies.
Effects of exercise training on physical and psychosocial health in children with chronic respiratory disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 10-2018
DOI: 10.1136/BMJSEM-2018-000409
Abstract: Chronic disease in children is increasing, including the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis (CF), bronchiectasis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of exercise training on health outcomes in children with chronic respiratory disease. Five databases were searched for randomised controlled trials investigating the effects of exercise training on children with chronic respiratory disease. Following the PRISMA guidelines, eligible studies were identified and data were extracted. A meta-analysis was conducted for the outcomes cardiovascular fitness, lung function and quality of life (QoL). The initial search returned 3688 papers. Twenty-seven (17 in children with asthma, 10 in children with CF) were included in the systematic review and 24 of these were included in the meta-analysis. No studies were identified in children with bronchiectasis or BPD. Included papers had a total of 1009 participants aged 8–20 years. In addition to cardiovascular fitness, lung function and QoL, studies also assessed pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, muscular strength and inflammation. Meta-analysis showed a large significant effect size in favour of exercise for cardiovascular fitness (peak VO 2 ) (standard mean difference (SMD)=1.16, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.70) and QoL (SMD=1.27, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.82) as well as a small, non-significant effect size for lung function (FEV 1 ) (SMD=0.02, 95% CI -0.38 to 0.42). Exercise training significantly improves cardiovascular fitness and QoL in children with asthma and CF. Further research is needed, particularly in children with bronchiectasis and BPD.
Accelerometer responsiveness to change between structured and unstructured physical activity in children and adolescents
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-01-2018
Investigating the association between sleep parameters and the weight status of children: night sleep duration matters
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.SLEH.2017.12.009
Abstract: To examine the associations between sleep parameters and weight status in a large s le of preschool children. Cross-sectional survey data from the Effective Early Educational Experiences for children (E4Kids) study were analyzed. 1111 children aged 3 to 6 years from Queensland and Victoria, Australia. General linear modeling, with adjustment for significant control variables, assessed the impact of night sleep duration, total sleep duration, napping frequency, sleep timing (onset, offset and midpoint), and severity of sleep problems on standardized body mass index (BMI z score). General linear modeling was conducted for the total s le and then separately by sex. For the total s le, there was a significant association between short sleep duration (≤10 hours) and increased BMI z score. No other sleep parameters were associated with BMI z score in this s le. Analyses by sex revealed that, among girls, there were no associations between any sleep parameter and BMI z score. However, among boys, short night sleep duration and napping frequency were both significantly associated with weight status even after adjustment for controls. Night sleep duration is a consistent independent predictor of body mass in young children. These results identify a complex relationship between sleep and body mass that implicates sex. Potential mechanisms that might explain sex differences warrant further investigation.
Objective Measurement of Physical Activity in Youth: Current Issues, Future Directions
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 2001
DOI: 10.1097/00003677-200101000-00007
Abstract: Objective measurement of physical activity in youth: current issues, future directions. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., Vol. 29, No. 1, pp 32-36, 2001. Second-generation activity monitors have revolutionized the way in which we measure youth physical activity. Use of the monitors avoids the problems associated with self-report methods and allows for the estimation of physical activity patterns over time. This article examines important methodological issues related to the use of activity monitors in children and adolescents.
Comparison of the effects of a home-based and group-based resistance training program on functional ability in older adults
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 09-2008
Abstract: To compare the effectiveness of home- and group-based, progressive resistance training programs and a group walking program in improving functional performance in older adults. A quasi-experimental trial, in which retirement villages were assigned to one of three groups: home-based resistance training, group-based resistance training and group-based walking. One hundred sixty-seven retirement village residents aged 65 to 96 years. Nine resistance training exercises, using graded exercise bands and body weight, two balance exercises, and 10 stretches. Home-based participants were given an exercise booklet, 8 hours of instruction, and telephone support. Instructors supervised the group-based resistance training and walking programs. Each group exercised twice weekly for 20 weeks. Functional performance (strength, aerobic endurance, flexibility, and agility/dynamic balance) was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test. Intervention effects were evaluated using mixed-model, repeated measures analysis of variance. Significant between-group differences were observed only for the lower-body flexibility test. Group resistance training participants improved, but home resistance training and walking participants did not. However, strength, lower-body flexibility, and agility/dynamic balance improved in the group-based resistance training participants, and strength and upper-body flexibility improved in the home-based participants. No improvements were observed in the walking group. Findings support the implementation of both home- and group-based resistance training programs in retirement villages. Encouraging residents to adopt and maintain a resistance training program remains a research priority.
Physical activity in overweight and nonoverweight preschool children
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-06-2003
Cognitive Testing of Items Measuring Movement Behaviours in Young Children Aged Zero to Five Years: Development of the Movement Behaviour Questionnaires for -Baby (MBQ-B) and -Child (MBQ-C)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 14-09-2023
Validity of accelerometry in ambulatory children and adolescents with cerebral palsy
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-03-2011
DOI: 10.1007/S00421-011-1915-2
Abstract: To evaluate the validity of the ActiGraph accelerometer for the measurement of physical activity intensity in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) using oxygen uptake (VO(2)) as the criterion measure. Thirty children and adolescents with CP (mean age 12.6 ± 2.0 years) wore an ActiGraph 7164 and a Cosmed K4b(2) portable indirect calorimeter during four activities quiet sitting, comfortable paced walking, brisk paced walking and fast paced walking. VO(2) was converted to METs and activity energy expenditure and classified as sedentary, light or moderate-to-vigorous intensity according to the conventions for children. Mean ActiGraph counts min(-1) were classified as sedentary, light or moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) intensity using four different sets of cut-points. VO(2) and counts min(-1) increased significantly with increases in walking speed (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that, of the four sets of cut-points evaluated, the Evenson et al. (J Sports Sci 26(14):1557-1565, 2008) cut-points had the highest classification accuracy for sedentary (92%) and MVPA (91%), as well as the second highest classification accuracy for light intensity physical activity (67%). A ROC curve analysis of data from our participants yielded a CP-specific cut-point for MVPA that was lower than the Evenson cut-point (2,012 vs. 2,296 counts min(-1)), however, the difference in classification accuracy was not statistically significant 94% (95% CI = 88.2-97.7%) vs. 91% (95% CI = 83.5-96.5%). In conclusion, among children and adolescents with CP, the ActiGraph is able to differentiate between different intensities of walking. The use of the Evenson cut-points will permit the estimation of time spent in MVPA and allows comparisons to be made between activity measured in typically developing adolescents and adolescents with CP.
Evaluation of Wrist Accelerometer Cut-Points for Classifying Physical Activity Intensity in Youth
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 02-05-2022
DOI: 10.3389/FDGTH.2022.884307
Abstract: Wrist worn accelerometers are convenient to wear and provide greater compliance. However, methods to transform the resultant output into predictions of physical activity (PA) intensity have been slow to evolve, with most investigators continuing the practice of applying intensity-based thresholds or cut-points. The current study evaluated the classification accuracy of seven sets of previously published youth-specific cut-points for wrist worn ActiGraph accelerometer data. Eighteen children and adolescents [mean age (± SD) 14.6 ± 2.4 years, 10 boys, 8 girls] completed 12 standardized activity trials. During each trial, participants wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ tri-axial accelerometer on the wrist and energy expenditure (Youth METs) was measured directly using the Oxycon Mobile portable calorimetry system. Seven previously published sets of ActiGraph cut-points were evaluated: Crouter regression vertical axis, Crouter regression vector magnitude, Crouter ROC curve vertical axis, Crouter ROC curve vector magnitude, Chandler ROC curve vertical axis, Chandler ROC curve vector magnitude, and Hildebrand ENMO. Classification accuracy was evaluated via weighted Kappa. Confusion matrices were generated to summarize classification accuracy and identify patterns of misclassification. The cut-points exhibited only moderate agreement with directly measured PA intensity, with Kappa ranging from 0.45 to 0.58. Although the cut-points classified sedentary behavior accurately (& 95%), classification accuracy for the light (3–51%), moderate (12–45%), and vigorous-intensity trials (30–88%) was generally poor. All cut-points underestimated the true intensity of the walking trials, with error rates ranging from 35 to 100%, while the intensity of activity trials requiring significant upper body and/or arm movements was consistently overestimated. The Hildebrand cut-points which serve as the default option in the popular GGIR software package misclassified 30% of the light intensity trials as sedentary and underestimated the intensity of moderate and vigorous intensity trials 75% of the time. Published ActiGraph cut-points for the wrist, developed specifically for school-aged youth, do not provide acceptable classification accuracy for estimating daily time spent in light, moderate, and vigorous intensity physical activity. The development and deployment of more robust accelerometer data reduction methods such as functional data analysis and machine learning approaches continues to be a research priority.
Influence of the day care, home and neighbourhood environment on young children's physical activity and health
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 12-2016
Indexes of Insulin Resistance and Secretion in Obese Children and Adolescents
Publisher: American Diabetes Association
Date: 02-2004
Abstract: OBJECTIVE—To assess the concurrent validity of fasting indexes of insulin sensitivity and secretion in obese prepubertal (Tanner stage 1) children and pubertal (Tanner stages 2–5) adolescents using estimates from the modified minimal model frequently s led intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT) as a criterion measure. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Eighteen obese children and adolescents (11 girls and 7 boys, mean age 12.2 ± 2.4 years, mean BMI 35.4 ± 6.2 kg/m2, mean BMI-SDS 3.5 ± 0.5, 7 prepubertal and 11 pubertal) participated in the study. All participants underwent an insulin-modified FSIVGTT on two occasions, and 15 repeated this test a third time (mean 12.9 and 12.0 weeks apart). Si measured by the FSIVGTT was compared with homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI), fasting glucose-to-insulin ratio (FGIR), and fasting insulin (estimates of insulin sensitivity derived from fasting s les). The acute insulin response (AIR) measured by the FSIVGTT was compared with HOMA of percent β-cell function (HOMA-β%), FGIR, and fasting insulin (estimates of insulin secretion derived from fasting s les). RESULTS—There was a significant negative correlation between HOMA-IR and Si (r = −0.89, r = −0.90, and r = −0.81, P & 0.01) and a significant positive correlation between QUICKI and Si (r = 0.89, r = 0.90, and r = 0.81, P & 0.01) at each time point. There was a significant positive correlation between FGIR and Si (r = 0.91, r = 0.91, and r = 0.82, P & 0.01) and a significant negative correlation between fasting insulin and Si (r = −90, r = −0.90, and r = −0.88, P & 0.01). HOMA-β% was not as strongly correlated with AIR (r = 0.60, r = 0.54, and r = 0.61, P & 0.05). CONCLUSIONS—HOMA-IR, QUICKI, FGIR, and fasting insulin correlate strongly with Si assessed by the FSIVGTT in obese children and adolescents. Correlations between HOMA-β%, FGIR and fasting insulin, and AIR were not as strong. Indexes derived from fasting s les are a valid tool for assessing insulin sensitivity in prepubertal and pubertal obese children.
Play Active physical activity policy intervention and implementation support in early childhood education and care
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-04-2023
DOI: 10.1186/S12966-023-01442-0
Abstract: Policy interventions to increase physical activity in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are effective in increasing physical activity among young children. However, a large proportion of ECEC services do not have nor implement a physical activity policy. Play Active is an evidence-informed physical activity policy intervention with implementation support strategies to enable ECEC services to successfully implement their policy. This study examined the effectiveness, implementation, and process outcomes of Play Active. A pragmatic cluster randomised trial in 81 ECEC services in Perth, Western Australia was conducted in 2021. Services implemented their physical activity policy over a minimum of three months. The effectiveness outcomes were changes in educator practices related to daily time provided for total physical activity and energetic play. Implementation outcomes included changes in director- and educator-reported uptake of policy practices and director-reported uptake of high impact and low effort policy practices. Process evaluation outcomes included awareness, fidelity, reach, and acceptability of the intervention and implementation strategies. Analysis involved descriptive statistics and generalised linear mixed effects models. There was a significant increase in the uptake of director-reported policy practices ( p = 0.034), but no change in the uptake of the subset of high impact and low effort policy practices. Intervention group educators reported high awareness of the Play Active policy recommendations (90%). Play Active acceptability was high among educators (83%) and directors (78%). Fidelity and reach were high for most implementation support strategies ( 75%). There were no significant changes in the amount of physical activity or energetic play educators provided to children or in the proportion of educators providing the policy recommended ≥ 180 min of physical activity/day or ≥ 30 min of energetic play/day for intervention compared to wait-listed comparison services. Play Active resulted in significantly higher uptake of physical activity practices. However, there was no change in the amount of physical activity provided to children, which may be explained by the relatively short policy implementation period. Importantly, Play Active had high awareness, fidelity, reach, and acceptability. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of Play Active over longer implementation periods and its scalability potential. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (reference number 12620001206910, registered 13/11/2020, www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378304& isReview=true ).
The relationship between physical activity, self-regulation and cognitive school readiness in preschool children
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 10-11-2021
Abstract: (1) Background: Limited research exists on the pathways through which physical activity influences cognitive development in the early years. This study examined the direct and indirect relationships between physical activity, self-regulation, and cognitive school readiness in preschool children. (2) Method: Participants (n = 56) aged 3–5 years were recruited from the PLAYCE study, Perth, Western Australia. Physical activity was measured using 7-day accelerometry. Self-regulation was measured using the Head Toes Knees and Shoulders task and cognitive school readiness was assessed using the Bracken School Readiness Assessment. Baron and Kenny’s method was used for mediation analysis. (3) Results: After adjustment for socio-demographic factors, total physical activity was positively and significantly associated with cognitive school readiness (B = 0.16, SE = 0.07, p ≤ 0.05). Moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was positively and significantly associated with self-regulation (B = 0.3, SE = 0.13, p ≤ 0.05) and cognitive school readiness score (B = 0.20, SE = 0.09, p ≤ 0.05). Self-regulation was found to be a partial mediator of the relationship between MVPA and cognitive school readiness. (4) Conclusion: These findings highlight the direct and indirect association between preschool children’s physical activity, self-regulation, and cognitive school readiness. Further research is needed to determine the causal relationships between young children’s physical activity and cognitive development, over time.
Using the Internet in a Physical Activity Health Promotion Campaign
Publisher: IGI Global
Date: 2004
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59140-132-2.CH016
Abstract: The 10,000 Steps Rockh ton project is a community-based, multi-strategy health promotion program focussing on physical activity and the social determinants of health in a regional Australian setting. As yet there is no available literature about the process of constructing health promotion Web sites. The chapter describes the processes involved in the construction and evaluation of a physical activity health promotion site. The static side of the site gives health promotion information and messages related to physical activity, along with contact information and registration information for the project. The dynamic side of the site allows online tracking of daily-accumulated physical activity.
Preschool HABIT-ILE: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial to determine efficacy of intensive rehabilitation compared with usual care to improve motor skills of children, aged 2–5 years, with bilateral cerebral palsy
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 03-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-041542
Abstract: Young children with bilateral cerebral palsy (BCP) often experience difficulties with gross motor function, manual ability and posture, impacting developing independence in daily life activities, participation and quality of life. Hand Arm Bimanual Intensive Training Including Lower Extremity (HABIT-ILE) is a novel intensive motor intervention integrating upper and lower extremity training that has been developed and tested in older school-aged children with unilateral and BCP. This study aims to compare an adapted preschool version of HABIT-ILE to usual care in a randomised controlled trial. 60 children with BCP aged 2–5 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) II–IV will be recruited. Children will be stratified by GMFCS and randomised using concealed allocation to either receive Preschool HABIT-ILE or usual care. Preschool HABIT-ILE will be delivered in groups of four to six children, for 3 hours/day for 10 days (total 30 hours). Children receiving Preschool HABIT-ILE be provided a written home programme with the aim of achieving an additional 10 hours of home practice (total dose 40 hours). Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately following intervention and then retention of effects will be tested at 26 weeks. The primary outcome will be the Peabody Developmental Motors Scales–Second Edition to evaluate gross and fine motor skills. Secondary outcomes will be gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Measure-66), bimanual hand performance (Both Hands Assessment), self-care and mobility (Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adapted Test), goal attainment (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure), global performance of daily activities (ACTIVLIM-CP), cognition and adaptive function (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function—Preschool Version), habitual physical activity (ActiGraph GT3X+) and quality of life (Infant Toddler Quality of Life Questionnaire and Child Health Utility Index-9). Analyses will follow standard principles for RCTs using two-group comparisons on all participants on an intention-to-treat basis. Comparisons between groups for primary and secondary outcomes will be conducted using regression models. Ethics approval has been granted by the Medical Research Ethics Committee Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/19/QCHQ/59444) and The University of Queensland (2020000336/HREC/19/QCHQ/59444). ACTRN126200000719.
The impact of an m-Health financial incentives program on the physical activity and diet of Australian truck drivers
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-05-2017
Adolescent pedometer protocols: examining reactivity, tampering and participants’ perceptions
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-09-2013
DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2013.815361
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate adolescents' potential reactivity and t ering while wearing pedometers by comparing different monitoring protocols to accelerometer output. The s le included adolescents (N = 123, age range = 14-15 years) from three secondary schools in New South Wales, Australia. Schools were randomised to one of the three pedometer monitoring protocols: (i) daily sealed (DS) pedometer group, (ii) unsealed (US) pedometer group or (iii) weekly sealed (WS) pedometer group. Participants wore pedometers (Yamax Digi-Walker CW700, Yamax Corporation, Kumamoto City, Japan) and accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X+, Pensacola, USA) simultaneously for seven days. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to examine potential reactivity. Bivariate correlations between step counts and accelerometer output were calculated to explore potential t ering. The correlation between accelerometer output and pedometer steps/day was strongest among participants in the WS group (r = 0.82, P ≤ 0.001), compared to the US (r = 0.63, P ≤ 0.001) and DS (r = 0.16, P = 0.324) groups. The DS (P ≤ 0.001) and US (P = 0.003), but not the WS (P = 0.891), groups showed evidence of reactivity. The results suggest that reactivity and t ering does occur in adolescents and contrary to existing research, pedometer monitoring protocols may influence participant behaviour.
Conducting Accelerometer-Based Activity Assessments in Field-Based Research
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 11-2005
DOI: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000185657.86065.98
Abstract: The purpose of this review is to address important methodological issues related to conducting accelerometer-based assessments of physical activity in free-living in iduals. We review the extant scientific literature for empirical information related to the following issues: product selection, number of accelerometers needed, placement of accelerometers, epoch length, and days of monitoring required to estimate habitual physical activity. We also discuss the various options related to distributing and collecting monitors and strategies to enhance compliance with the monitoring protocol. No definitive evidence exists currently to indicate that one make and model of accelerometer is more valid and reliable than another. Selection of accelerometer therefore remains primarily an issue of practicality, technical support, and comparability with other studies. Studies employing multiple accelerometers to estimate energy expenditure report only marginal improvements in explanatory power. Accelerometers are best placed on hip or the lower back. Although the issue of epoch length has not been studied in adults, the use of count cut points based on 1-min time intervals maybe inappropriate in children and may result in underestimation of physical activity. Among adults, 3-5 d of monitoring is required to reliably estimate habitual physical activity. Among children and adolescents, the number of monitoring days required ranges from 4 to 9 d, making it difficult to draw a definitive conclusion for this population. Face-to-face distribution and collection of accelerometers is probably the best option in field-based research, but delivery and return by express carrier or registered mail is a viable option. Accelerometer-based activity assessments requires careful planning and the use of appropriate strategies to increase compliance.
Sports Participation and Health-Related Behaviors Among US Youth
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 09-2000
DOI: 10.1001/ARCHPEDI.154.9.904
Abstract: To examine the relationship between sports participation and health-related behaviors among high school students. Cross-sectional design using data from the 1997 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey. A nationally representative s le of 14,221 US high school students. Prevalence of sports participation among males and females from 3 ethnic groups and its associations with other health behaviors, including diet, tobacco use, alcohol and illegal drug use, sexual activity, violence, and weight loss practices. Approximately 70% of male students and 53% of female students reported participating on 1 or more sports teams in school and/or nonschool settings rates varied substantially by age, sex, and ethnicity. Male sports participants were more likely than male nonparticipants to report fruit and vegetable consumption on the previous day and less likely to report cigarette smoking, cocaine and other illegal drug use, and trying to lose weight. Compared with female nonparticipants, female sports participants were more likely to report consumption of vegetables on the previous day and less likely to report having sexual intercourse in the past 3 months. Among white males and females, several other beneficial health behaviors were associated with sports participation. A few associations with negative health behaviors were observed in African American and Hispanic subgroups. Sports participation is highly prevalent among US high school students, and is associated with numerous positive health behaviors and few negative health behaviors.
The Influence of the Early Childhood Education and Care Environment on Young Children’s Physical Activity
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 06-04-2020
Abstract: (1) Background: Participation in physical activity is crucial for the healthy growth and development of young children. More robust measurement of environmental influences on children’s physical activity in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings may help resolve inconsistencies in the literature. This study evaluated the reliability of an environmental audit and educator practice survey for assessing ECEC physical, policy, and social environments related to young children’s physical activity. (2) Methods: A convenience s le of 20 ECEC centres participated in this PLAYCE (Play Spaces and Environments for Children’s Physical Activity) sub-study. Trained auditors conducted audits and educators completed surveys, two weeks apart. Test-retest reliability of the survey (n = 32), inter-rater (n = 20 pairs) and intra-rater reliability (n = 38) of the audit was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), Kappa statistics and percent agreement. (3) Results: Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability ICCs for outdoor equipment, spaces and features were good to excellent (ICC = 0.70–0.94), while ratings for indoor equipment, media and spaces varied from fair to excellent (ICC = 0.46–0.78). The majority of items were rated by Kappa as moderate or above for intra-rater, inter-rater and survey test-retest reliability. (4) Conclusions: The PLAYCE Study instruments provide reliable measures of ECEC physical activity environments which can help to better understand influences on young children’s physical activity.
Method: Comparison of surveys used to measure physical activity
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2004
DOI: 10.1111/J.1467-842X.2004.TB00925.X
Abstract: To compare the level of agreement in results obtained from four physical activity (PA) measurement instruments that are in use in Australia and around the world. 1,280 randomly selected participants answered two sets of PA questions by telephone. 428 answered the Active Australia (AA) and National Health Surveys, 427 answered the AA and CDC Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys (BRFSS), and 425 answered the AA survey and the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Among the three pairs of survey items, the difference in mean total PA time was lowest when the AA and NHS items were asked (difference=24) (SE:17) minutes, compared with 144 (SE:21) mins for AA/BRFSS and 406 (SE:27) mins for AA/IPAQ). Correspondingly, prevalence estimates for 'sufficiently active' were similar for AA and NHS (56% and 55% respectively), but about 10% higher when BRFSS data were used, and about 26% higher when the IPAQ items were used, compared with estimates from the AA survey. The findings clearly demonstrate that there are large differences in reported PA times and hence in prevalence estimates of 'sufficient activity' from these four measures. It is important to consistently use the same survey for population monitoring purposes. As the AA survey has now been used three times in national surveys, its continued use for population surveys is recommended so that trend data over a longer period of time can be established.
The impact of an implementation intervention that increased school's delivery of a mandatory physical activity policy on student outcomes
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.JSAMS.2021.12.005
Abstract: Assess the impact of an implementation intervention on student's physical activity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and on-task behaviour. A cluster-randomised controlled trial. Following baseline 61 eligible schools were randomised to a 12-month, implementation intervention to increase teacher scheduling of physical activity, or a waitlist control. Whole school-day and class-time physical activity of students from grades 2 and 3 (~ages 7 to 9) were measured via wrist-worn accelerometers and included: moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, light physical activity, sedentary behaviour and activity counts per minute. Children's health related quality of life (HRQoL) and out-of-school-hours physical activity was measured via parent-proxy surveys. Class level on-task behaviour was measured via teacher self-report surveys. Student and teacher obtained outcomes were measured at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Parent reported outcomes were measured at 12-month follow-up. Linear mixed models compared between group differences in outcomes. Differential effects by sex were explored for student and parent reported outcomes. Data from 2485 students, 1220 parents and >500 teachers were analysed. There was no statistically significant between group differences in any of the outcomes, including accelerometer measured physical activity, out-of-school-hours physical activity, HRQoL, and on-task behaviour. A statistically significant differential effect by sex was found for sedentary behaviour across the whole school day (3.16 min, 95% CI: 0.19, 6.13 p = 0.028), with females illustrating a greater difference between groups than males. Only negligible effects on student physical activity were found. Additional strategies including improving the quality of teacher's delivery of physical activity may be required to enhance effects.
Fundamental movement skill proficiency and objectively measured physical activity in children with bronchiectasis: a cross-sectional study.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-08-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S12890-021-01637-W
Abstract: Bronchiectasis is a major contributor to respiratory morbidity and healthcare utilization in children. Children with bronchiectasis exhibit low levels of physical activity (PA) and poor fundamental movement skills (FMS) may be a contributing factor. However, there are no data on FMS’s in this population. The current study assessed FMS proficiency in children with bronchiectasis and examined associations with objectively measured PA. Forty-six children with bronchiectasis (mean age 7.5 ± 2.6 year, 63% Male) were recruited from the Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane. PA was measured using the ActiGraph GT3X + accelerometer. Raw accelerometer data were processed into daily time spent in sedentary activities, light-intensity activities and games, walking, running, and moderate-to-vigorous activities and games using a random forest (RF) PA classification algorithm specifically developed for children. Daily MVPA was calculated by summing time spent in walking, running, and moderate-to-vigorous activities and games. FMS were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development 2nd Edition (TGMD-2). Fewer than 5% of children demonstrated mastery in the run, gallop, hop, and leap while fewer than 10% demonstrated mastery for the two-handed strike, overarm throw, and underarm throw. Only eight of the 46 children (17.4%) achieved their age equivalency for locomotor skills, while just four (8.7%) achieved their age equivalency for object control skills. One-way ANCOVA revealed that children achieving their age equivalency for FMS had significantly higher levels of MVPA than children not achieving their age equivalency (51.7 vs 36.7 min/day). When examined by the five activity classes predicted by the RF algorithm, children achieving their age equivalency exhibited significantly greater participation moderate-to-vigorous intensity activities and games (22.1 vs 10.7 min/day). No significant differences were observed for sedentary activities, light-intensity activities and games, walking, and running. Children with bronchiectasis exhibit significant delays in their FMS development. However, those who meet their age equivalency for FMS proficiency participate in significantly more daily MVPA than children who do not meet their age-equivalency. Therapeutic exercise programs designed to improve FMS proficiency are thus likely to be beneficial in this population.
Associations between physical activity and other health behaviors in a representative sample of US adolescents.
Publisher: American Public Health Association
Date: 11-1996
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This study examined the associations between physical activity and other health behaviors in a representative s le of US adolescents. METHODS: In the 1990 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 11631 high school students provided information on physical activity diet substance use and other negative health behaviors. Logistic regression analyses examined associations between physical activity and other health behaviors in a subset of 2652 high-active and 1641 low-active students. RESULTS: Low activity was associated with cigarette smoking, marijuana use, lower fruit and vegetable consumption, greater television watching, failure to wear a seat belt, and low perception of academic performance. For consumption of fruit, television watching, and alcohol consumption, significant interactions were found with race/ethnicity or sex, suggesting that sociocultural factors may affect the relationships between physical activity and some health behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Low physical activity was associated with several other negative health behaviors in teenagers. Future studies should examine whether interventions for increasing physical activity in youth can be effective in reducing negative health behaviors.
Health promotion for dogs and humans: the 10,000 steps Rockhampton dog walking intervention
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2003
Physical Activity Among 2- to 4-Year-Old Children Attending Family Child Care Homes
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 05-2008
Parental Influences on Physical Activity and Screen Time among Preschool Children from Low-Income Families in Brazil
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 03-2023
Calibration and comparison of accelerometer cut points in preschool children
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-2011
DOI: 10.3109/17477166.2010.526223
Abstract: The present study aimed to develop accelerometer cut points to classify physical activities (PA) by intensity in preschoolers and to investigate discrepancies in PA levels when applying various accelerometer cut points. To calibrate the accelerometer, 18 preschoolers (5.8 ± 0.4 years) performed eleven structured activities and one free play session while wearing a GT1M ActiGraph accelerometer using 15 s epochs. The structured activities were chosen based on the direct observation system Children's Activity Rating Scale (CARS) while the criterion measure of PA intensity during free play was provided using a second-by-second observation protocol (modified CARS). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to determine the accelerometer cut points. To examine the classification differences, accelerometer data of four consecutive days from 114 preschoolers (5.5 ± 0.3 years) were classified by intensity according to previously published and the newly developed accelerometer cut points. Differences in predicted PA levels were evaluated using repeated measures ANOVA and Chi Square test. Cut points were identified at 373 counts/15 s for light (sensitivity: 86% specificity: 91% Area under ROC curve: 0.95), 585 counts/15 s for moderate (87% 82% 0.91) and 881 counts/15 s for vigorous PA (88% 91% 0.94). Further, applying various accelerometer cut points to the same data resulted in statistically and biologically significant differences in PA. Accelerometer cut points were developed with good discriminatory power for differentiating between PA levels in preschoolers and the choice of accelerometer cut points can result in large discrepancies.
Validation of a 24-h physical activity recall in indigenous and non-indigenous Australian adolescents
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2007
DOI: 10.1016/J.JSAMS.2006.07.018
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concurrent validity of a modified version of the widely used previous day physical activity recall (PDPAR-24) self-report instrument in a erse s le of Australian adolescents comprising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (A&TSI) and non-indigenous high school students. A s le of 63 A&TSI and 59 non-indigenous high school students (N=122) from five public secondary schools participated in the study. Participants completed the PDPAR-24 after wearing a sealed electronic pedometer on the previous day. Significant positive correlations were observed between the self-reported physical activity variables (mean MET level, blocks of vigorous activity, and blocks of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) and 24-h step counts. Validity coefficients (rho) ranged from 0.29 to 0.34 (p<0.05). A significant inverse correlation was observed for self-reported screen time and 24-h step count (rho=-0.19, p<0.05). Correlations for A&TSI students were equal to or greater than those observed for non-indigenous students. The PDPAR-24 instrument is a quick, unobtrusive, and cost-effective assessment tool that would be useful for evaluating physical activity and sedentary behaviour in population-based studies.
Validity of Two Wheelchair-Mounted Devices for Estimating Wheelchair Speed and Distance Traveled
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 2020
Abstract: This study evaluated the validity of two wheelchair-mounted devices—the Cateye® and Wheeler—for monitoring wheelchair speed and distance traveled. Speed estimates were validated against a calibrated treadmill at speeds from 1.5 to 10 km/hr. Twenty-five wheelchair users completed a course of known distance comprising a sequence of everyday wheelchair activities. Speed estimate validity was very good (mean absolute percentage error ≤ 5%) for the Wheeleri at all speeds and for the Cateye at speeds km/hr but not speeds km/hr (mean absolute percentage error 20%). Wheeleri distance estimates were good (mean absolute percentage error 10%) for linear pushing activities and general maneuvering but poor for confined-space maneuvering. Cateye estimates were good for continuous linear propulsion but poor for discontinuous pushing and maneuvering (both general and confined space). Both devices provided valid estimates of speed and distance for typical wheelchair-based exercise activities. However, the Wheeleri provided more accurate estimates of speed and distance during typical everyday wheelchair activities.
Calibration of the Biotrainer Pro Activity Monitor in Children
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 05-2007
DOI: 10.1123/PES.19.2.145
Abstract: The unique physical and movement characteristics of children necessitate the development of accelerometer equations and cut points that are population specific. The purpose of this study is to develop an ecologically valid cut point for the Biotrainer Pro monitor that reflects a threshold for moderate-intensity physical activity in elementary school children. A s le of 30 children (ages 8−12) wore a Biotrainer monitor while completing a series of 7 movement tasks (calibration phase) and while participating in an organized group activity (cross-validation phase). Videotapes from each session were processed using a computerized direct-observation technique to provide a criterion measure of physical activity. Analyses involved the use of mixed-model regression and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. The results indicated that a cut point of 4 counts/min provides the optimal balance between the related needs for sensitivity (accurately detecting activity) and specificity (limiting misclassification of activity as inactivity). Results with the cross-validation data demonstrated that this value yielded the best overall kappa (.58) and a high classification agreement (84%) for activity determination. The specificity of 93% demonstrates that the proposed cut point can accurately detect activity however, the lower sensitivity value of 61% suggests that some minutes of activity might be incorrectly classified as inactivity. The cut point of 4 counts/min provides an ecologically valid cut point to capture physical activity in children using the Biotrainer Pro activity monitor.
Participate CP 2: optimising participation in physically active leisure for children with cerebral palsy – protocol for a phase III randomised controlled trial
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 10-2023
Increasing Physical Activity in Childcare Outdoor Learning Environments
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 25-09-2014
Abstract: The problem of childhood obesity can be addressed through study of how built environment characteristics can foster physical activity (PA) among preschool children. A s le of 355 behavior settings in 30 childcare center outdoor learning environments (OLEs) was studied using behavioral mapping techniques. Observers coded activity levels of preschool children across behavior settings. The level of PA observed in 6,083 behavioral displays of children aged 3 to 5 was modeled using multi-level statistical techniques. Both adjacency and centrality of play settings were found to be important factors in increasing the degree of PA, net the effect of numerous other variables. In addition, child-to-child interaction was found to foster PA (more for boys than girls) whereas a teacher’s custodial actions limit PA. Results demonstrate that design of OLE form (particularly adjacency of behavior settings) and content (use of manipulable items such as wheeled toys and balls) facilitates higher levels of PA.
Intergenerational Parks: Design guide for physical activity and social engagement across generations
Publisher: Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
Date: 2022
Barriers and facilitators of physical activity in children with bronchiectasis: Perspectives from children and parents
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 05-10-2022
Abstract: Current bronchiectasis management guidelines recommend regular physical activity but a large proportion of children with bronchiectasis do not meet public health recommendations which call for 60 min or more of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity daily. Knowing the factors that influence physical activity in children with bronchiectasis is necessary for the development of effective interventions to increase physical activity in this patient group. The objective of this study was to identify facilitators and barriers to physical activity in children with bronchiectasis unrelated to cystic fibrosis (CF) from the perspectives of children and their parents. This was a qualitative study informed by the theoretical domains framework (TDF). Children aged 7–15 years (8.8 years, 8.4–11.0) (median, interquartile range) and parents (45.8 years, 39.7–48.3) completed separate, semi-structured interviews ( n = 21). Recordings were transcribed verbatim, and barriers and facilitators related to each TDF domain deductively coded. Emergent themes were inductively derived via consensus moderation. From the perspectives of children, fun with friends, organized sport and activities, and family co-participation in physical activity emerged as facilitators. Inability to keep up with their peers and time on technology emerged as barriers. From the perspectives of parents, instrumental and logistic support for physical activity and supportive social and physical activity environments emerged as facilitators, while management of symptoms associated with bronchiectasis emerged as a barrier. Programs to increase physical activity in children with bronchiectasis should be fun, accessible, provide opportunities for social interaction and address barriers related to exercise tolerance, perceived competence, and presence of respiratory symptoms.
Population-level physical activity surveillance in young people: are accelerometer-based measures ready for prime time?
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-03-2020
Activity Patterns of Preschool-Aged Children at Risk for Obesity
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 06-2015
Abstract: Although the prevalence of obesity in young children highlights the importance of early interventions to promote physical activity (PA), there are limited data on activity patterns in this age group. The purpose of this study was to describe activity patterns in preschool-aged children and explore differences by weight status. Analyses use baseline data from Healthy Homes/Healthy Kids–Preschool, a pilot obesity prevention trial of preschool-aged children who are overweight or at risk for being overweight. A modified parent-reported version of the previous-day PA recall was used to summarize types of activity. Accelerometry was used to summarize daily and hourly activity patterns. “Playing with toys” accounted for the largest proportion of a child’s previous day, followed by “meals and snacks” and “chores.” Accelerometry-measured daily time spent in sedentary behavior, light PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was 412, 247, and 69 minutes, respectively. Percentage of hourly time spent in MVPA ranged from 3% to 13%, peaking in the late morning and evening hours. There were no statistically significant MVPA differences by weight status. This study extends our understanding of activity types, amounts, and patterns in preschool-aged children and warrants further exploration of differences in PA patterns by weight status.
Ensemble Methods for Classification of Physical Activities from Wrist Accelerometry
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 09-2017
Calibration Of The Biotrainer Pro Activity Monitor In Youth Using Receiver Operator Characteristic (roc) Curves
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 05-2005
Calibration and Validation of Wearable Monitors
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 2012
Determinants of Physical Activity in Middle School Children
Publisher: JCFCorp SG PTE LTD
Date: 03-2002
DOI: 10.5993/AJHB.26.2.2
Abstract: To evaluate the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and planned behavior (TPB) in predicting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in sixth-grade youth. One hundred ninety-eight students completed a questionnaire measuring attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions to be active. MVPA was measured using the CSA 7,164 accelerometer. Although demonstrating an acceptable fit, the TRA and TPB accounted for only a small percentage of the variance in MVPA. In support of the TPB, the addition of control perceptions to the reasoned action model added to the prediction of intentions and MVPA. Within our s le of sixth graders, the utility of the TRA or TPB as a framework for activity interventions appears to be limited.
Artificial Neural Networks to Predict Activity Type and Energy Expenditure in Youth
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 09-2012
Gender Differences in Physical Activity and Determinants of Physical Activity in Rural Fifth Grade Children
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-1996
DOI: 10.1111/J.1746-1561.1996.TB08235.X
Abstract: This study determined if gender differences in physical activity could be accounted for by differences in selected social-cognitive determinants of activity behavior. Some 334 fifth grade, predominantly African-American students provided information regarding after-school physical activity and the hypothesized determinants of activity behavior. Boys reported significantly greater participation in vigorous ( > or = 6 METs) and in moderate to vigorous ( > or = 4 METs). Relative to girls, boys demonstrated higher levels of physical fitness, greater self-efficacy in overcoming barriers to physical activity, greater amounts of television watching, and higher levels of participation in community sports and physical activity organizations. When mean physical activity scores for girls and boys were adjusted for the effects of these determinant variables, the significant gender difference in physical activity remained. However, adjustment for self-efficacy in overcoming barriers and community sports reduced the gender gap by 5% and 7%, respectively. In contrast, adjustment for television watching increased the gender gap by about 8%. Results indicated perceived confidence in overcoming barriers to physical activity and participation in community physical activity programs are factors related to the gender difference in physical activity.
Exploring Metrics to Express Energy Expenditure of Physical Activity in Youth
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 23-06-2015
PREDICT-CP: study protocol of implementation of comprehensive surveillance to predict outcomes for school-aged children with cerebral palsy
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 07-2017
Tracking of physical activity in young children
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 1996
DOI: 10.1097/00005768-199601000-00019
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether physical activity behavior tracks during early childhood. Forty-seven children (22 males, 25 females) aged 3-4 yr at the beginning of the study were followed over a 3-yr period. Heart rates were measured at least 2 and up to 4 d.yr-1 with a Quantum XL Telemetry heart rate monitor. Physical activity was quantified as the percentage of observed minutes between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. during which heart rate was 50% or more above in idual resting heart rate (PAHR-50 Index). Tracking of physical activity was analyzed using Pearson and Spearman correlations. Yearly PAHR-50 index tertiles were created and examined for percent agreement and Cohen's kappa. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to calculate the intraclass correlation coefficient across the 3 yr of the study. Spearman rank order correlations ranged from 0.57 to 0.66 (P < 0.0001). Percent agreement ranged from 49% to 62%. The intraclass R for the 3 yr was 0.81. It was concluded that physical activity behavior tends to track during early childhood.
Weighing in on international growth standards: testing the case in Australian preschool children
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-07-2017
DOI: 10.1111/OBR.12581
Abstract: Overweight and obesity in preschool-aged children are major health concerns. Accurate and reliable estimates of prevalence are necessary to direct public health and clinical interventions. There are currently three international growth standards used to determine prevalence of overweight and obesity, each using different methodologies: Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Adoption and use of each method were examined through a systematic review of Australian population studies (2006-2017). For this period, systematically identified population studies (N = 20) reported prevalence of overweight and obesity ranging between 15 and 38% with most (n = 16) applying the IOTF standards. To demonstrate the differences in prevalence estimates yielded by the IOTF in comparison to the WHO and CDC standards, methods were applied to a s le of N = 1,926 Australian children, aged 3-5 years. As expected, the three standards yielded significantly different estimates when applied to this single population. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was WHO - 9.3%, IOTF - 21.7% and CDC - 33.1%. Judicious selection of growth standards, taking account of their underpinning methodologies and provisions of access to study data sets to allow prevalence comparisons, is recommended.
Correlates of physical activity in fifth-grade students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2020
Validity of the computer science and applications (CSA) activity monitor in children
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 04-1998
DOI: 10.1097/00005768-199804000-00023
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the CSA activity monitor as a measure of children's physical activity using energy expenditure (EE) as a criterion measure. Thirty subjects aged 10 to 14 performed three 5-min treadmill bouts at 3, 4, and 6 mph, respectively. While on the treadmill, subjects wore CSA (WAM 7164) activity monitors on the right and left hips. VO2 was monitored continuously by an automated system. EE was determined by multiplying the average VO2 by the caloric equivalent of the mean respiratory exchange ratio. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated that both CSA monitors were sensitive to changes in treadmill speed. Mean activity counts from each CSA unit were not significantly different and the intraclass reliability coefficient for the two CSA units across all speeds was 0.87. Activity counts from both CSA units were strongly correlated with EE (r = 0.86 and 0.87, P < 0.001). An EE prediction equation was developed from 20 randomly selected subjects and cross-validated on the remaining 10. The equation predicted mean EE within 0.01 kcal.min-1. The correlation between actual and predicted values was 0.93 (P < 0.01) and the SEE was 0.93 kcal.min-1. These data indicate that the CSA monitor is a valid and reliable tool for quantifying treadmill walking and running in children.
Comparison of 3 Accelerometer Data Reduction Approaches, Step Counts, and 2 Self-Report Measures for Estimating Physical Activity in Free-Living Adults
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 09-2013
Abstract: Accelerometers have become one of the most common methods of measuring physical activity (PA). Thus, validity of accelerometer data reduction approaches remains an important research area. Yet, few studies directly compare data reduction approaches and other PA measures in free-living s les. To compare PA estimates provided by 3 accelerometer data reduction approaches, steps, and 2 self-reported estimates: Crouter’s 2-regression model, Crouter’s refined 2-regression model, the weighted cut-point method adopted in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2003–2004 and 2005–2006 cycles), steps, IPAQ, and 7-day PA recall. A worksite s le (N = 87) completed online-surveys and wore ActiGraph GT1M accelerometers and pedometers (SW-200) during waking hours for 7 consecutive days. Daily time spent in sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous intensity activity and percentage of participants meeting PA recommendations were calculated and compared. Crouter’s 2-regression (161.8 ± 52.3 minutes/day) and refined 2-regression (137.6 ± 40.3 minutes/day) models provided significantly higher estimates of moderate and vigorous PA and proportions of those meeting PA recommendations (91% and 92%, respectively) as compared with the NHANES weighted cut-point method (39.5 ± 20.2 minutes/day, 18%). Differences between other measures were also significant. When comparing 3 accelerometer cut-point methods, steps, and self-report measures, estimates of PA participation vary substantially.
Patterns of Accelerometer-Assessed Sedentary Behavior in Older Women
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 18-12-2013
Towards non-laboratory prediction of relative physical activity intensities from multimodal wearable sensor data
Publisher: IEEE
Date: 12-2017
Randomized trial of a clinic-based, community-supported, lifestyle intervention to improve physical activity and diet: The North Carolina enhanced WISEWOMAN project
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2008
DOI: 10.1016/J.YPMED.2008.02.011
Abstract: To determine if a clinic-based behavioral intervention program for low-income mid-life women that emphasizes use of community resources will increase moderate intensity physical activity (PA) and improve dietary intake. Randomized trial conducted from May 2003 to December 2004 at one community health center in Wilmington, NC. A total of 236 women, ages 40-64, were randomized to receive an Enhanced Intervention (EI) or Minimal Intervention (MI). The EI consisted of an intensive phase (6 months) including 2 in idual counseling sessions, 3 group sessions, and 3 phone calls from a peer counselor followed by a maintenance phase (6 months) including 1 in idual counseling session and 7 monthly peer counselor calls. Both phases included efforts to increase participants' use of community resources that promote positive lifestyle change. The MI consisted of a one-time mailing of p hlets on diet and PA. Outcomes, measured at 6 and 12 months, included the comparison of moderate intensity PA between study groups as assessed by accelerometer (primary outcome) and questionnaire, and dietary intake assessed by questionnaire and serum carotenoids (6 months only). For accelerometer outcomes, follow-up was 75% at 6 months and 73% at 12 months. Though moderate intensity PA increased in the EI and decreased in the MI, the difference between groups was not statistically significant (p=0.45 multivariate model, p=0.08) however, moderate intensity PA assessed by questionnaire (92% follow-up at 6 months and 75% at 12 months) was greater in the EI (p=0.01 multivariate model, p=0.001). For dietary outcomes, follow-up was 90% for questionnaire and 92% for serum carotenoids at 6 months and 74% for questionnaire at 12 months. Dietary intake improved more in the EI compared to the MI (questionnaire at 6 and 12 months, p<0.001 serum carotenoid index, p=0.05 multivariate model, p=0.03). The EI did not improve objectively measured PA, but was associated with improved self-reported and objective measures of dietary intake.
Feeding Practices in Australian Early Childhood Education and Care Settings
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 24-09-2022
DOI: 10.1017/S1368980021004055
Abstract: Feeding practices used by educators in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings can influence the diet quality of young children. However, Australian data is scarce and limited to describing barriers to responsive feeding. This study describes the use of feeding practices amongst a group of Australian educators. Direct observation of feeding practices and assessment of centre policy were conducted using the ‘Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation’ tool. Self-reported feeding practices and demographic data were collected via online survey using the Childcare Food and Activity Practices Questionnaire. Ten centre-based ECEC services in South East Queensland, Australia. Educators working in ECEC. A total of 120 meals were observed and 88 educators provided self-report data ( n 84 female). Centre policy supported the use of responsive feeding practices, and this was reflected in the high frequency with which children could decide what and how much to eat, across both observed and self-report data as well as low levels of pressure to eat and use of food as a reward (observed at 19·9 % and 0 % of meals). The only apparent discrepancy was regarding modelling. Median score for self-reported role-modelling was 5·0 (4·3–5·0) and educators were observed to sit with children at 75 % of meals, however observed occasions of enthusiastic role modelling was only 22 % (0–33·3) of meals. Research addressing how educators conceptualise feeding practices, as well under what circumstances they are used, particularly in centres with different models of food provision, may shed light on why modelling is rarely implemented in practice.
Machine learning models for classifying physical activity in free-living preschool children
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 05-08-2020
DOI: 10.3390/S20164364
Abstract: Machine learning (ML) activity classification models trained on laboratory-based activity trials exhibit low accuracy under free-living conditions. Training new models on free-living accelerometer data, reducing the number of prediction windows comprised of multiple activity types by using shorter windows, including temporal features such as standard deviation in lag and lead windows, and using multiple sensors may improve the classification accuracy under free-living conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Random Forest (RF) activity classification models for preschool-aged children trained on free-living accelerometer data. Thirty-one children (mean age = 4.0 ± 0.9 years) completed a 20 min free-play session while wearing an accelerometer on their right hip and non-dominant wrist. Video-based direct observation was used to categorize the children’s movement behaviors into five activity classes. The models were trained using prediction windows of 1, 5, 10, and 15 s, with and without temporal features. The models were evaluated using leave-one-subject-out-cross-validation. The F-scores improved as the window size increased from 1 to 15 s (62.6%–86.4%), with only minimal improvements beyond the 10 s windows. The inclusion of temporal features increased the accuracy, mainly for the wrist classification models, by an average of 6.2 percentage points. The hip and combined hip and wrist classification models provided comparable accuracy however, both the models outperformed the models trained on wrist data by 7.9 to 8.2 percentage points. RF activity classification models trained with free-living accelerometer data provide accurate recognition of young children’s movement behaviors under real-world conditions.
Patterns and correlates of physical activity in adolescents in Dhaka city, Bangladesh
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.PUHE.2016.12.011
Abstract: Despite the widely acknowledged public health importance of physical activity (PA), few studies have examined levels of PA in Bangladesh. The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns and correlates of PA in adolescents in Bangladesh. Cross-sectional survey. A total of 798 students, aged 13-17 years 48% girls, from eight purposively selected secondary schools in Dhaka city, Bangladesh completed a self-administered questionnaire including the 3-Day PA Recall. Parents completed a separate questionnaire to provide household/family-level data. Multilevel generalized linear modelling was used to identify the correlates of PA for boys and girls. Two-thirds (66%) of the adolescents met the recommendations of 60 min/day of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) daily, with more boys than girls (76% and 55%, respectively). The most common activities reported were walking for travel (42%), cricket (33%) and household chores (30%). Multivariable modelling showed that girls' PA was positively associated with mother's education level, walking to school, involvement in school sports and having home sports equipment. Boys' PA was positively associated with mother's employment, having home sports equipment, having a playground at school and walking to school. One third of adolescents in Bangladesh were insufficiently active with girls less active than boys. Walking to school and access to sports facilities including playgrounds and home equipment may be important to promote activity among Bangladeshi adolescents, with special attention to the girls.
Psychometric properties of the modified RESIDE physical activity questionnaire among low-income overweight women
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2015
Evidence that heat acclimation training may alter sleep and incidental activity
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 10-10-2023
DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2022.2124386
Abstract: This randomized cross-over study tested the hypothesis that heat acclimation training would detrimentally affect sleep variables and alter incidental physical activity compared to a thermoneutral training control condition. Eight recreationally trained males (⩒O
Physical Activity Among Children Attending Preschools
Publisher: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Date: 11-2004
Abstract: Objectives. Obesity rates are increasing among children of all ages, and reduced physical activity is a likely contributor to this trend. Little is known about the physical activity behavior of preschool-aged children or about the influence of preschool attendance on physical activity. The purpose of this study was to describe the physical activity levels of children while they attend preschools, to identify the demographic factors that might be associated with physical activity among those children, and to determine the extent to which children's physical activity varies among preschools. Methods. A total of 281 children from 9 preschools wore an Actigraph (Fort Walton Beach, FL) accelerometer for an average of 4.4 hours per day for an average of 6.6 days. Each child's height and weight were measured, and parents of participating children provided demographic and education data. Results. The preschool that a child attended was a significant predictor of vigorous physical activity (VPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Boys participated in significantly more MVPA and VPA than did girls, and black children participated in more VPA than did white children. Age was not a significant predictor of MVPA or VPA. Conclusions. Children's physical activity levels were highly variable among preschools, which suggests that preschool policies and practices have an important influence on the overall activity levels of the children the preschools serve.
Factors associated with physical activity in children attending family child care homes
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.YPMED.2011.12.002
Abstract: To determine the relationship between family child care home (FCCH) practices and characteristics, and objectively measured physical activity (PA) among children attending FCCHs. FCCH practices and characteristics were assessed in 45 FCCHs in Oregon (USA) in 2010-2011 using the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care Instrument. Within the 45 FCCHs, 136 children between ages 2 and 5 years wore an accelerometer during child care attendance over a one-week period. Time spent in light, moderate, and vigorous PA per hour was calculated using intensity-related cut-points (Pate et al., 2006). FCCH characteristics and practices associated with higher levels of PA (min/h p<0.05) included provision of sufficient outdoor active play [32.2 (1.0) vs. 28.6 (1.3)], active play using portable play equipment [31.7 (1.0) vs. 29.3 (1.4)], the presence of a variety of fixed play equipment [32.2 (1.0) vs. 28.9 (1.3)], and suitable indoor play space [32.2 (1.0) vs. 28.6 (1.3)], engaging in active play with children [32.1 (1.1) vs. 29.6 (1.2)], and receiving activity-related training [33.1 (1.2) vs. 30.3 (1.1)]. This is the first study to identify practices and characteristics of FCCHs that influence children's PA. These data should be considered when developing programs and policies to promote PA in FCCHs.
Determinants of Physical Activity in Active and Low‐Active, Sixth Grade African‐American Youth
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 1999
DOI: 10.1111/J.1746-1561.1999.TB02340.X
Abstract: This study compared the determinants of physical activity in active and low-active African-American sixth grade students (N = 108, 57 F, 51 M). Objective assessments of physical activity over a seven-day period were obtained using the CSA 7164 accelerometer. Students were classified as active if they exhibited three or more 20-minute bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity over the seven-day period. Relative to low-actives, active boys reported significantly higher levels of self-efficacy, greater involvement in community physical activity organizations, and were significantly more likely to perceive their mother as active. Relative to low-actives, active girls reported significantly higher levels of physical activity self-efficacy, greater positive beliefs regarding physical activity outcomes, and were significantly less likely to watch television or play video games for > or = 3 hrs/day. These observations provide preliminary guidance as to the design of physical activity interventions targeted at African-American youth.
Why are early maturing girls less active? Links between pubertal development, psychological well-being, and physical activity among girls at ages 11 and 13
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2007
Comparison of Accelerometer Cut Points for Predicting Activity Intensity in Youth
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 07-2011
CALIBRATION OF THE COMPUTER SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS, INC. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MONITOR IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 05-2001
Clinical use of objective measures of physical activity
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 05-12-2013
DOI: 10.1136/BJSPORTS-2013-093173
Abstract: With measurement of physical activity becoming more common in clinical practice, it is imperative that healthcare professionals become more knowledgeable about the different methods available to objectively measure physical activity behaviour. Objective measures do not rely on information provided by the patient, but instead measure and record the biomechanical or physiological consequences of performing physical activity, often in real time. As such, objective measures are not subject to the reporting bias or recall problems associated with self-report methods. The purpose of this article was to provide an overview of the different methods used to objectively measure physical activity in clinical practice. The review was delimited to heart rate monitoring, accelerometers and pedometers since their small size, low participant burden and relatively low cost make these objective measures appropriate for use in clinical practice settings. For each measure, strengths and weakness were discussed and whenever possible, literature-based ex les of implementation were provided.
A review of preschool children's physical activity and sedentary time using objective measures
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.AMEPRE.2014.05.042
Abstract: Identifying current physical activity levels and sedentary time of preschool children is important for informing government policy and community initiatives. This paper reviewed studies reporting on physical activity and time spent sedentary among preschool-aged children (2-5 years) using objective measures. Databases were searched for studies published up to and including April 2013 that reported on, or enabled the calculation of, the proportion of time preschool children spent sedentary and in light- and moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity. A total of 40 publications met the inclusion criteria for physical activity and 31 met the inclusion criteria for sedentary time. Objective measures included ActiGraph, Actiwatch, Actical, Actiheart, and RT3 accelerometers, direct observation, and Quantum XL telemetry heart rate monitoring. Data were analyzed in May 2013. Considerable variation in prevalence estimates existed. The proportion of time children spent sedentary ranged from 34% to 94%. The time spent in light-intensity physical activity and moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity ranged from 4% to 33% and 2% to 41%, respectively. The considerable variation of prevalence estimates makes it difficult to determine the "true" prevalence of physical activity and sedentary time in preschool children. Future research should aim to reduce inconsistencies in the employed methodologies to better understand preschoolers' physical activity levels and sedentary behavior.
Evaluation of an intervention to reduce adolescent sitting time during the school day: The ‘Stand Up for Health’ randomised controlled trial
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.JSAMS.2018.05.020
Abstract: Adolescents spend large proportions of the school day sitting potentially increasing their health risks. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and potential efficacy of a school-based intervention to reduce adolescent sitting time during the school day. Two-arm parallel-group randomised controlled trial. Adolescents (13-16 years) were recruited from four private high schools in New South Wales, Australia. Schools were pair-matched and randomised to treatment or control. Research assistants were blinded to intervention aims and treatment allocation. Intervention initiatives included classroom and outdoor environmental measures to break up and reduce the proportion of adolescent school time spent sitting. Teacher and students surveys assessed intervention feasibility, acceptability and potential efficacy. Proportional sitting time was the primary outcome, measured by activPAL monitors, worn for one week during the school day. Secondary outcomes included body mass index, body fatness, working memory and non-verbal reasoning. Data were analysed using a general linear model for continuous variables and adjusted for clustering. While teachers and students supported the program, process evaluation results indicate aspects of the intervention were not implemented with fidelity. Eighty-eight adolescents (M These findings contribute to limited research in this area, providing guidance for future interventions in the high school environment. The study was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12614001001684).
‘Jump start’ childcare-based intervention to promote physical activity in pre-schoolers: six-month findings from a cluster randomised trial
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-01-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12966-020-0910-6
Abstract: Participation in adequate levels of physical activity during the early years is important for health and development. We report the 6-month effects of an 18-month multicomponent intervention on physical activity in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings in low-income communities. A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted in 43 ECEC settings in disadvantaged areas of New South Wales, Australia. Three-year-old children were recruited and assessed in the first half of 2015 with follow-up 6 months later. The intervention was guided by Social Cognitive Theory and included five components. The primary outcome was minutes per hour in total physical activity during ECEC hours measured using Actigraph accelerometers. Intention-to-treat analysis of the primary outcome was conducted using a generalized linear mixed model. A total of 658 children were assessed at baseline. Of these, 558 (85%) had valid accelerometer data (mean age 3.38y, 52% boys) and 508 (77%) had valid accelerometry data at 6-month follow-up. Implementation of the intervention components ranged from 38 to 72%. There were no significant intervention effects on mins/hr. spent in physical activity (adjusted difference = − 0.17 mins/hr., 95% CI (− 1.30 to 0.97), p = 0.78). A priori sub-group analyses showed a greater effect among overweight/obese children in the control group compared with the intervention group for mins/hr. of physical activity (2.35mins/hr., [0.28 to 4.43], p = 0.036). After six-months the Jump Start intervention had no effect on physical activity levels during ECEC. This was largely due to low levels of implementation. Increasing fidelity may result in higher levels of physical activity when outcomes are assessed at 18-months. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12614000597695 .
Effects of a therapeutic exercise program in children with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 15-09-2022
Abstract: In the absence of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the benefits of therapeutic exercise programs involving children with bronchiectasis, we undertook a pilot RCT to evaluate the effects of a play-based therapeutic exercise program on fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency. The effects of the program on cardiorespiratory fitness, perceived competence, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) were examined as secondary outcomes. Children [median (IQR) age: 6.8 (5.3–8.8) years] with bronchiectasis unrelated to cystic fibrosis were randomized to a 7-week therapeutic exercise program ( n = 11) or wait-list control ( n = 10). The exercise program comprised 7 × 60-min weekly sessions and was supplemented by a home-based program 2-days/week. Participants were assessed on: FMS (locomotor and object control skills) using the Test of Gross Motor Development 2nd Edition (TGMD-2) cardiovascular fitness by calculating the percent change in heart rate (%ΔHR) from rest to completion of the first stage of a submaximal treadmill test perceived competence using Harter’s athletic competence subscale and QoL with the PedsQL. Significant group by time interactions were observed for locomotor and object control skills. Children completing the therapeutic exercise program exhibited significant improvements in both locomotor (pre 29.0 ± 2.0, post 35.2 ± 2.2, p = 0.01) and object control (pre 27.0 ± 2.0, post 35.5 ± 2.2, p = 0.01) skills, with no significant change in controls (pre 31.6 ± 2.1, post 31.8 ± 2.3 and pre 31.0 ± 2.1, post 32.3 ± 2.3, respectively). Among children completing the program, %ΔHR declined by 6% points, while %ΔHR declined only marginally among controls (0.9% points), but the group by time interaction was not statistically significant. The program had a small positive impact on competence perceptions (Cohen’s d = 0.2) and HR-QoL (Cohen’s d = 0.3). This pilot RCT provides preliminary evidence for the efficacy of a play-based therapeutic exercise program to improve proficiency in FMS and fitness in children with bronchiectasis. The results are sufficiently positive to warrant conducting a larger RCT testing the efficacy of the exercise program in children with bronchiectasis and/or other chronic respiratory conditions.
State of the Art Reviews: Measurement of Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 07-2007
Abstract: To date, a wide range of methods has been used to measure physical activity in children and adolescents. These include self-report methods such as questionnaires, activity logs, and diaries as well as objective measures of physical activity such as direct observation, doubly labeled water, heart rate monitoring, accelerometers, and pedometers. The purpose of this review is to overview the methods currently being used to measure physical activity in children and adolescents. For each measurement approach, new developments and/or innovations are identified and discussed. Particular attention is given to the use of accelerometers and the calibration of accelerometer output to units of energy expenditure to developing children.
Field evaluation of a random forest activity classifier for wrist-worn accelerometer data
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.JSAMS.2016.06.003
Abstract: Wrist-worn accelerometers are convenient to wear and associated with greater wear-time compliance. Previous work has generally relied on choreographed activity trials to train and test classification models. However, validity in free-living contexts is starting to emerge. Study aims were: (1) train and test a random forest activity classifier for wrist accelerometer data and (2) determine if models trained on laboratory data perform well under free-living conditions. Twenty-one participants (mean age=27.6±6.2) completed seven lab-based activity trials and a 24h free-living trial (N=16). Participants wore a GENEActiv monitor on the non-dominant wrist. Classification models recognising four activity classes (sedentary, stationary+, walking, and running) were trained using time and frequency domain features extracted from 10-s non-overlapping windows. Model performance was evaluated using leave-one-out-cross-validation. Models were implemented using the randomForest package within R. Classifier accuracy during the 24h free living trial was evaluated by calculating agreement with concurrently worn activPAL monitors. Overall classification accuracy for the random forest algorithm was 92.7%. Recognition accuracy for sedentary, stationary+, walking, and running was 80.1%, 95.7%, 91.7%, and 93.7%, respectively for the laboratory protocol. Agreement with the activPAL data (stepping vs. non-stepping) during the 24h free-living trial was excellent and, on average, exceeded 90%. The ICC for stepping time was 0.92 (95% CI=0.75-0.97). However, sensitivity and positive predictive values were modest. Mean bias was 10.3min/d (95% LOA=-46.0 to 25.4min/d). The random forest classifier for wrist accelerometer data yielded accurate group-level predictions under controlled conditions, but was less accurate at identifying stepping verse non-stepping behaviour in free living conditions Future studies should conduct more rigorous field-based evaluations using observation as a criterion measure.
Effects of a Pediatric Weight Management Program With and Without Active Video Games
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 05-2014
DOI: 10.1001/JAMAPEDIATRICS.2013.3436
Abstract: Active video games may offer an effective strategy to increase physical activity in overweight and obese children. However, the specific effects of active gaming when delivered within the context of a pediatric weight management program are unknown. To evaluate the effects of active video gaming on physical activity and weight loss in children participating in an evidence-based weight management program delivered in the community. Group-randomized clinical trial conducted during a 16-week period in YMCAs and schools located in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Texas. Seventy-five overweight or obese children (41 girls [55%], 34 whites [45%], 20 Hispanics [27%], and 17 blacks [23%]) enrolled in a community-based pediatric weight management program. Mean (SD) age of the participants was 10.0 (1.7) years body mass index (BMI) z score, 2.15 (0.40) and percentage overweight from the median BMI for age and sex, 64.3% (19.9%). All participants received a comprehensive family-based pediatric weight management program (JOIN for ME). Participants in the program and active gaming group received hardware consisting of a game console and motion capture device and 1 active game at their second treatment session and a second game in week 9 of the program. Participants in the program-only group were given the hardware and 2 games at the completion of the 16-week program. Objectively measured daily moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous physical activity, percentage overweight, and BMI z score. Participants in the program and active gaming group exhibited significant increases in moderate-to-vigorous (mean [SD], 7.4 [2.7] min/d) and vigorous (2.8 [0.9] min/d) physical activity at week 16 (P < .05). In the program-only group, a decline or no change was observed in the moderate-to-vigorous (mean [SD] net difference, 8.0 [3.8] min/d P = .04) and vigorous (3.1 [1.3] min/d P = .02) physical activity. Participants in both groups exhibited significant reductions in percentage overweight and BMI z scores at week 16. However, the program and active gaming group exhibited significantly greater reductions in percentage overweight (mean [SD], -10.9%[1.6%] vs -5.5%[1.5%] P = .02) and BMI z score (-0.25 [0.03] vs -0.11 [0.03] P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Incorporating active video gaming into an evidence-based pediatric weight management program has positive effects on physical activity and relative weight. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01757925.
Wrist accelerometer cut points for classifying sedentary behavior in children
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 04-2017
Physical Activities and Sedentary Pursuits in African American and Caucasian Girls
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 12-2004
DOI: 10.1080/02701367.2004.10609168
Abstract: The purposes of this study were to describe and compare the specific physical activity choices and sedentary pursuits of African American and Caucasian American girls. Participants were 1,124 African American and 1,068 Caucasian American eighth-grade students from 31 middle schools. The 3-Day Physical Activity Recall (3DPAR) was used to measure participation in physical activities and sedentary pursuits. The most frequently reported physical activities were walking, basketball, jogging or running, bicycling, and social dancing. Differences between groups were found in 11 physical activities and 3 sedentary pursuits. Participation rates were higher in African American girls (p < or = .001) for social dancing, basketball, watching television, and church attendance but lower in calisthenics, ballet and other dance, jogging or running, rollerblading, soccer, softball or baseball, using an exercise machine, swimming, and homework. Cultural differences of groups should be considered when planning interventions to promote physical activity.
An Interactive Method for Visualising Physical Activity in Parks
Publisher: IEEE
Date: 07-2019
Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Instruments Measuring Children’s Movement Behaviors and Parenting Practices in Brazilian Families
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 31-12-2020
Abstract: Childhood obesity is a global problem, disproportionately affecting children in low-to-middle income countries (LMIC). Despite this evidence, no previous study has adapted instruments measuring children’s movement behaviors and associated parenting practices for use in LMIC families. This study reports the results of a cross-cultural adaptation of previously validated measures of children’s movement behaviors and parenting practices in economically disadvantaged Brazilian families. Study 1 involved translation of the instruments from English to Portuguese. A team of translators (fluent in both English and Portuguese) and researchers followed established procedures for translating measurement scales, identifying problematic items, and reaching consensus on discrepancies. Study 2 involved cognitive interviews with 24 parents from urban and rural North-eastern Brazil addressing the format, content, and clarity of the items. Half the parents provided feedback on the first 33 items of the questionnaire, with the remaining parents providing feedback on the final 29 items. Notes were recorded during the interview and parents’ feedback summarized in a report. In the translation and back-translation, 15 discrepancies were identified. These were mostly due to multiple Portuguese words having the same meaning in English. The research team discussed these discrepancies and consensus was reached to ensure that the concepts depicted in the Portuguese version were consistent with the English version. In the cognitive interviews, parents identified minor problems with item comprehension resulting in minor adaptations to response options, recall period, and format of the questionnaire. The process of translation and cognitive interviews conducted in Brazilian families resulted in an appropriate cultural adaptation of scales measuring children’s movement behaviors and parenting practices. Future studies should evaluate the validity and reliability of the measures in LMIC families.
Validity of Family Child Care Providers' Proxy Reports on Children's Physical Activity
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 10-2013
Exercise—Promoting healthy lifestyles in children and adolescents
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2008
DOI: 10.1016/J.JACL.2008.03.001
Abstract: Regular physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle in children and adolescents. However, despite the noted short- and long-term health benefits associated with physical activity, monitoring and surveillance studies show that a significant percentage of children and adolescents fail to meet the recommended guideline of 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. This review examines key evidence from the public health and health promotion literature on promotion of health-enhancing physical activity in children and adolescents. We describe best practice in three key behavior settings-schools, homes, and health care settings. In school-based settings, it has been shown that physical education programs can be modified to increase the percentage of class time engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. In the home setting, there is evidence that teaching parents to establish and monitor physical activity goals and provide appropriate rewards for meeting these goals results in gains in physical activity and/or physical fitness. In health care settings, evidence from two studies suggests that physician-based counseling coupled with stage appropriate written materials can be effective among adolescent youth.
Evaluating the Responsiveness of Accelerometry to Detect Change in Physical Activity
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-09-2014
Reliability and validity of physical fitness field tests for adults aged 55 to 70 years
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2005
DOI: 10.1016/S1440-2440(05)80025-8
Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of field tests for assessing physical function in mid-aged and young-old people (55-70 y). Tests were selected that required minimal space and equipment and could be implemented in multiple field settings such as a general practitioner's office. Nineteen participants completed 2 field and 1 laboratory testing sessions. Intra-class correlations showed good reliability for the tests of upper body strength (lift and reach, R= .66), lower body strength (sit to stand, R = .80) and functional capacity (Canadian Step Test, R= .92), but not for leg power (single timed chair rise. R = .28). There was also good reliability for the balance test during 3 stances: parallel (94.7% agreement), semi-tandem (73.7%), and tandem (52.6%). Comparison of field test results with objective laboratory measures found good validity for the sit to stand (cf 1RM leg press, Pearson r= .68, p < .05), and for the step test (cf PWC140, r = -.60, p .05), balance (r = -.13, -.18, .23) and rate of force development tests (r = -.28). It was concluded that the lower body strength and cardiovascular function tests were appropriate for use in field settings with mid-aged and young-old adults.
Validity of Accelerometry to Measure Physical Activity Intensity in Children With an Acquired Brain Injury
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 10-2017
DOI: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000439
Abstract: To evaluate the validity of the ActiGraph accelerometer (AG) to differentiate between standardized, physical activity tasks using oxygen consumption ( JOURNAL pyty/04.03/00001577-201710000-00008/8FSM1/v/2023-08-23T235921Z/r/image-gif o 2 ) as the criterion measure in children and adolescents with an acquired brain injury to determine vector magnitude activity intensity cut-points to compare performance of cut-points to previously published cut-points. Twenty-seven children performed standardized walking and stepping activities wearing a portable indirect calorimeter, AG, and heart rate monitor. Differences in JOURNAL pyty/04.03/00001577-201710000-00008/8FSM1/v/2023-08-23T235921Z/r/image-gif o 2 and AG vector magnitude activity counts were measured during activities. Receiver operating characteristic curves were determined for intensity cut-points. JOURNAL pyty/04.03/00001577-201710000-00008/8FSM1/v/2023-08-23T235921Z/r/image-gif o 2 and AG activity counts significantly increased as walking speed increased. Discrimination of the newly derived cut-points was excellent and demonstrated greater agreement compared with the previously published cut-points. Output from accelerometers can differentiate physical activity intensity in children with an acquired brain injury. Future studies can apply these cut-points to evaluate physical activity performance.
Physical activity parenting measurement and research : challenges, explanations, and solutions
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 08-2013
Effects of four different single exercise sessions on lipids, lipoproteins, and lipoprotein lipase
Publisher: American Physiological Society
Date: 09-1998
DOI: 10.1152/JAPPL.1998.85.3.1169
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the threshold of exercise energy expenditure necessary to change blood lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and lipoprotein lipase activity (LPLA) in healthy, trained men. On different days, 11 men (age, 26.7 ± 6.1 yr body fat, 11.0 ± 1.5%) completed four separate, randomly assigned, submaximal treadmill sessions at 70% maximal O 2 consumption. During each session 800, 1,100, 1,300, or 1,500 kcal were expended. Compared with immediately before exercise, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration was significantly elevated 24 h after exercise ( P 0.05) in the 1,100-, 1,300-, and 1,500-kcal sessions. HDL-C concentration was also elevated ( P 0.05) immediately after and 48 h after exercise in the 1,500-kcal session. Compared with values 24 h before exercise, LPLA was significantly greater ( P 0.05) 24 h after exercise in the 1,100-, 1,300-, and 1,500-kcal sessions and remained elevated 48 h after exercise in the 1,500-kcal session. These data indicate that, in healthy, trained men, 1,100 kcal of energy expenditure are necessary to elicit increased HDL-C concentrations. These HDL-C changes coincided with increased LPLA.
Effect of a single session of exercise on lipoprotein(a)
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 10-1996
DOI: 10.1097/00005768-199610000-00011
Abstract: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is bound to apolipoprotein B-100 by disulfide linkage and is associated in the upper density range of low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Persons with elevated concentrations of Lp(a) are regarded as having an increased risk for premature coronary artery disease. Although many studies exist evaluating the effects of a single session of exercise on lipids and lipoproteins, little information is available concerning the effects of exercise on Lp(a). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a single exercise session on plasma Lp(a). Twelve physically active men completed two 30-min submaximal treadmill exercise sessions: low intensity (LI, 50% VO2max) and high intensity (HI, 80% VO2max). Blood s les were obtained immediately before and after exercise. Total cholesterol (LI: before 4.22 +/- 0.26, after 4.24 +/- 0.28 HI: before 4.24 +/- 0.31, after 4.11 +/- 0.28 mmol.l-1, mean +/- SE) and triglyceride (LI: before 1.14 +/- 0.16, after 1.06 +/- 0.16 HI: before 1.12 +/- 0.19, after 1.21 +/- 0.19 mmol.l-1) concentrations did not differ immediately after either exercise session, nor did Lp(a) concentrations differ immediately after either exercise session (LI: before 4.1 +/- 2.2, after 4.0 +/- 2.1: HI: before 3.9 +/- 2.2, after 3.7 +/- 2.0 mg.dl-1). These results suggest that neither a low nor a high intensity exercise session lasting 30 min in duration has an immediate effect on plasma Lp(a).
Prediction of Relative Physical Activity Intensity Using Multimodal Sensing of Physiological Data
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 17-10-2019
DOI: 10.3390/S19204509
Abstract: This study examined the feasibility of a non-laboratory approach that uses machine learning on multimodal sensor data to predict relative physical activity (PA) intensity. A total of 22 participants completed up to 7 PA sessions, where each session comprised 5 trials (sitting and standing, comfortable walk, brisk walk, jogging, running). Participants wore a wrist-strapped sensor that recorded heart-rate (HR), electrodermal activity (Eda) and skin temperature (Temp). After each trial, participants provided ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Three classifiers, including random forest (RF), neural network (NN) and support vector machine (SVM), were applied independently on each feature set to predict relative PA intensity as low (RPE ≤ 11), moderate (RPE 12–14), or high (RPE ≥ 15). Then, both feature fusion and decision fusion of all combinations of sensor modalities were carried out to investigate the best combination. Among the single modality feature sets, HR provided the best performance. The combination of modalities using feature fusion provided a small improvement in performance. Decision fusion did not improve performance over HR features alone. A machine learning approach using features from HR provided acceptable predictions of relative PA intensity. Adding features from other sensing modalities did not significantly improve performance.
Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies and Practices in Family Child Care Homes
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.AMEPRE.2009.09.020
Abstract: Family child care homes (FCCHs) are the second-largest provider of nonrelative care in the U.S. However, despite providing care for nearly 1.9 million children aged <5 years, little is known about the nutrition and physical activity practices of FCCHs. To address this gap, this study aims to describe policies and practices related to nutrition and physical activity in a representative s le of FCCHs. A stratified random s le of registered FCCHs operating in Kansas (N=297) completed the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) instrument. Prevalence estimates and 95% CIs for meeting or exceeding accepted child care standards were calculated using SAS PROC SURVEYFREQ. Most providers either met or exceeded child care standards related to serving fruit and vegetables and provision of daily physical activity. Very few providers reported serving fried meats or vegetables or unhealthy snack foods on a regular basis. Areas of concern included infrequent servings of low-fat milk, frequent use of unhealthy foods for celebrations, widespread use of TV and video games throughout the day, restricting physical activity for children who misbehave, and lack of appropriate indoor spaces for physical activity. Only a small percentage of providers reported receiving regular training in nutrition or physical activity. Relatively few providers had written guidelines on nutrition or physical activity. Some strengths were exhibited by FCCHs, but substantial weaknesses were shown with respect to meeting established child care standards for nutrition and physical activity. Interventions to promote healthy eating and regular physical activity in FCCHs are thus warranted.
Brief tools to measure obesity-related behaviours in children under 5 years of age: A systematic review
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-11-2019
DOI: 10.1111/OBR.12801
Abstract: Valid and reliable tools for measuring obesity-related behaviours in young children that are brief and can be administered quickly and cost-effectively in large-scale population studies are needed. The objectives of this systematic review were to describe brief tools that measure dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep in young children. A systematic review of studies published in English in six databases (CINAHL, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, HaPI, and Cochrane) prior to April 2018 was undertaken using the PROSPERO protocol and PRISMA guidelines. Included studies were those reporting the psychometric properties of brief (≤15 items) tools that measure dietary, activity, or sleep-related behaviours, alone or in combination, in children birth to 4.9 years of age. The search identified 11 379 papers, 200 full-text articles were screened for eligibility, and 12 met the inclusion criteria. Three studies measured two behavioural domains, while most assessed a single behaviour (three diet, five physical activity, one sleep, and none sedentary behaviour). Only two (one diet, one sleep) focused on the under 2 age group. Few studies assessed reliability, and validity and findings were mixed. There is a need to develop brief tools to measure early life obesity-related behaviours, particularly those assessing sedentary behaviour and sleep and tools that cover multiple domains.
Advanced Pubertal Status at Age 11 and Lower Physical Activity in Adolescent Girls
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2007
Parental influences on screen time and weight status among preschool children from Brazil: a cross-sectional study
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-03-2019
Decision Trees for Detection of Activity Intensity in Youth with Cerebral Palsy
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 05-2016
Tracking of Avoidance of Alcohol Use and Smoking Behavior in a Fifth Grade Cohort over Three Years
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-1999
DOI: 10.1046/J.1525-1446.1999.00032.X
Abstract: This study examined the maintenance of positive health behavior (avoidance of alcohol use and cigarette smoking) and factors associated with the maintenance of these behaviors from fifth through seventh grade by a cohort of rural students (N = 232). African American and White students showed similar patterns of high avoidance of alcohol until seventh grade. Although more girls avoided use than boys, avoidance decreased in both groups with progression in grade. Mothers', fathers', and best friends' drinking behaviors influenced avoidance behavior drinking was less likely to occur among those whose parents and friends did not drink. Friends' drinking behavior influenced alcohol use as early as fifth grade. Smoking avoidance was maintained by 74% of the students over the 3 years. Although there were no racial differences in smoking, African Americans started smoking about 1 year earlier than Whites. During seventh grade, an increase in smoking occurred among boys and girls, but was particularly striking among girls. Avoidance of smoking was influenced by mothers' behavior but not fathers'. Best friends' smoking behavior exerted a major influence on avoidance between grades 6 and 7. In grades 5 and 6, those who avoided smoking were more physically active than smokers, but by seventh grade their physical activity declined to a similar level as smokers. Rural adolescent boys seemed to be at early risk for alcohol use and smoking, while rural girls delayed involvement by 1 to 2 years. Communities, schools, and families can help adolescents avoid alcohol use and smoking through early prevention efforts.
A collaborative approach to adopting/adapting guidelines - The Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the early years (Birth to 5 years): an integration of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-2017
Evaluation of a Physical Activity Intervention for Adults With Brain Impairment
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 09-07-2016
Abstract: Background. In iduals with brain impairment (BI) are less active than the general population and have increased risk of chronic disease. Objective. This controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of a physical activity (PA) intervention for community-dwelling adults with BI. Methods. A total of 43 adults with BI (27 male, 16 female age 38.1 ± 11.9 years stage of change 1-3) who walked as their primary means of locomotion were allocated to an intervention (n = 23) or control (n = 20) condition. The intervention comprised 10 face-to-face home visits over 12 weeks, including a tailored combination of stage-matched behavior change activities, exercise prescription, community access facilitation, and relapse prevention strategies. The control group received 10 face-to-face visits over 12 weeks to promote sun safety, healthy sleep, and oral health. Primary outcomes were daily activity counts and minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) measured with the ActiGraph GT1M at baseline (0 weeks), postintervention (12 weeks) and follow-up (24 weeks). Between-group differences were evaluated for statistical significance using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results. MVPA for the intervention group increased significantly from baseline to 12 weeks (20.8 ± 3.1 to 31.2 ± 3.1 min/d P = .01), but differences between baseline and 24 weeks were nonsignificant (20.8 ± 3.1 to 25.3 ± 3.2 min/d P = .28). MVPA changes for the control group were negligible and nonsignificant. Between-group differences for change in MVPA were significant at 12 weeks ( P = .03) but not at 24 weeks ( P = .49). Conclusion. The 12-week intervention effectively increased adoption of PA in a s le of community-dwelling adults with BI immediately after the intervention but not at follow-up. Future studies should explore strategies to foster maintenance of PA participation.
Psychometric Properties of Instruments to Measure Parenting Practices and Children's Movement Behaviors in Low-income Families From Brazil
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 12-02-2021
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-199019/V1
Abstract: Background: Childhood obesity has increased remarkably in low and middle-income (LMIC) countries. Movement behaviors (physical activity, screen time, and sleep) are crucial in the development of overweight and obesity in young children. Yet, few studies have investigated the relationship between children´s movement behaviors and parenting practices because validated measures for use among families from LMIC are lacking. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of previously validated measures of young children’s physical activity, screen time, and sleep and parenting practices, translated and culturally adapted to Brazilian families. Methods: A total of 78 parent-child dyads completed an interviewer-administered survey twice within 7 days. Child physical activity, sedentary time and sleep were concurrently measured using a wrist-worn accelerometer. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC’s). Concurrent validity was evaluated by calculating Spearman correlations between parent reported child behaviors and accelerometer measured behaviors. Results: Parenting practices scales exhibited acceptable internal consistency with alpha coefficients ranging from 0.66 - 0.88. Test-retest reliability ICC’s were acceptable and ranged from 0.82 - 0.99. Parent reported child physical activity was positively correlated with objectively measured total movement (rho= 0.29 - 0.46, p .05) and energetic play (rho=0.29 – 0.40, p .05). Parent reported child screen time was positively correlated with objectively measured sedentary time (rho = 0.26, p .05), and inversely correlated with total movement (rho = - 0.39 – - 0.41, p .05) and energetic play (rho = - 0.37 – - 0.41, p .05). Parent reported night-time sleep duration was significantly correlated with accelerometer measured sleep duration on weekdays (rho = 0.29, p .05), but not weekends. Conclusions: Measurement tools to assess children’s movement behaviors and parenting practices, translated and culturally adapted for use in Brazilian families, exhibited acceptable evidence of concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability.
The Effect of Upgrades to Childcare Outdoor Spaces on Preschoolers’ Physical Activity: Findings from a Natural Experiment
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 10-01-2020
Abstract: Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for childhood obesity. Preventing obesity in the early years reduces the risk of developing chronic health conditions later. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are important settings to establish good preschooler physical activity behaviors. This natural experiment investigated the influence of ECEC outdoor physical environment upgrade on preschoolers’ physical activity (aged 2–5 years). Centers implemented upgrades without researcher input. Physical activity was measured by 7-day accelerometry for intervention (n = 159 6 centers) and control (n = 138 5 centers) groups. ECEC outdoor space was assessed using a modified Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) Instrument. Key outcomes were measured at baseline and 6–12 months follow-up. Fixed sandboxes, balls, portable slides, portable floor play equipment (e.g., tumbling mats), and natural grassed areas were positively associated with activity levels fixed tunnels and twirling equipment were negatively associated with activity levels (all p 0.05). Post-upgrade portable play equipment (balls, twirling equipment, slides, floor play equipment) increased intervention preschoolers’ moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels compared to control (p 0.05). Intervention preschoolers were more active than control at follow-up (58.09 vs. 42.13 min/day increase in total physical activity 30.46 vs. 19.16 min/day increase in MVPA (all p 0.001)). Since few preschoolers meet daily activity recommendations while at ECEC, the findings may help ECEC providers to optimize outdoor physical environments and encourage more active play among preschoolers.
Free-living evaluation of laboratory-based activity classifiers in preschoolers
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 05-12-2020
DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002221
Abstract: Machine learning classification models for accelerometer data are potentially more accurate methods to measure physical activity in young children than traditional cut point methods. However, existing algorithms have been trained on laboratory-based activity trials, and their performance has not been investigated under free-living conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of laboratory-trained hip and wrist random forest and support vector machine classifiers for the automatic recognition of five activity classes: sedentary (SED), light-intensity activities and games (LIGHT_AG), walking (WALK), running (RUN), and moderate to vigorous activities and games (MV_AG) in preschool-age children under free-living conditions. Thirty-one children (4.0 ± 0.9 yr) were video recorded during a 20-min free-living play session while wearing an ActiGraph GT3X+ on their right hip and nondominant wrist. Direct observation was used to continuously code ground truth activity class and specific activity types occurring within each class using a bespoke two-stage coding scheme. Performance was assessed by calculating overall classification accuracy and extended confusion matrices summarizing class-level accuracy and the frequency of specific activities observed within each class. Accuracy values for the hip and wrist random forest algorithms were 69.4% and 59.1%, respectively. Accuracy values for hip and wrist support vector machine algorithms were 66.4% and 59.3%, respectively. Compared with the laboratory cross validation, accuracy decreased by 11%–15% for the hip classifiers and 19%–21% for the wrist classifiers. Classification accuracy values were 72%–78% for SED, 58%–79% for LIGHT_AG, 71%–84% for MV_AG, 9%–15% for WALK, and 66%–75% for RUN. The accuracy of laboratory-based activity classifiers for preschool-age children was attenuated when tested on new data collected under free-living conditions. Future studies should train and test machine learning activity recognition algorithms using accelerometer data collected under free-living conditions.
The Adapted Physical Activity Program: A Theory-Driven, Evidence-Based Physical Activity Intervention for People with Brain Impairment
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 05-11-2018
Abstract: People with brain impairments are less active than the general population and consequently have an increased risk of chronic disease. To increase activity requires interventions that are theory driven and evidence based. Here, we describe the adapted physical activity program (APAP), a physical activity promotion program with demonstrated efficacy in community dwelling adults with brain impairments. Distinguishing features of the APAP include the following: delivery in the participants home/or community environment and the utilisation of the principals of community-based rehabilitation the assessment of each of the domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) (i.e., health conditions, impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions and personal and environmental characteristics) to determine how they will impact physical activity adoption and maintenance the incorporation of theory-based physical activity adoption and maintenance strategies the utilisation of lifestyle physical activity programs (including client-centred selection of activities) and/or structured exercise programs (requiring principles of exercise prescription). It is anticipated that this program description will permit researchers and/or practitioners to implement the program, replicate its evaluation and/or translate the program into multi-professional rehabilitation settings.
Selected abstracts of the twenty‐fourth annual meeting of the southeast chapter of the American college of sports medicine
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 1998
School-based physical education: Physical activity and implementation barriers in Vietnamese elementary schools
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 09-10-2020
Abstract: Information about the Vietnamese physical education (PE) programme is limited due to a lack of relevant studies. Using the Health Optimising Physical Education as a conceptual framework, this study examined students’ physical activity (PA) levels in the fifth-grade PE programme in Vietnam and barriers to programme implementation. Eight schools (28 PE classes) were randomly selected for assessing students’ PA levels, lesson context, and PA promotion during PE lessons using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time. In-depth interviews were also conducted with school administrators, PE instructors, and classroom teachers using semi-structured guides to examine barriers influencing the implementation of the current PE programme. Results showed students spent 33% of PE time in moderate–vigorous physical activity (MVPA), which is less than the international recommendation of 50%. The amount of MVPA varied by school type, instructor gender and qualification. Programme implementation was negatively affected by the current structure that limits autonomy, a proclivity for a “one size fits all” approach to teaching PE, and limited motivation for PE instructors to improve their teaching. The low perceived value of PE, lack of support and professional development for existing PE instructors, and an over-emphasis on sports training due to available financial incentives were also identified as important barriers that affected programme implementation. Addressing these barriers could help improve the quality of the Vietnamese PE programme.
Encouragement of Physical Activity for Weight Loss May Lead to Negative Psychological Outcomes Among Girls
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 05-2007
Design of a Garment for Data Collection of Toddler Language and Physical Activity
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 17-02-2013
Abstract: Design process phases of development, evaluation and implementation were used to create a garment to simultaneously collect reliable data of speech production and intensity of movement of toddlers (18-36 months). A series of prototypes were developed and evaluated that housed accelerometer-based motion sensors and a digital transmitter with microphone. The approved test garment was a top constructed from loop-faced fabric with interior pockets to house devices. Extended side panels allowed for sizing. In total, 56 toddlers (28 male 28 female 16-36 months of age) participated in the study providing pilot and baseline data. The test garment was effective in collecting data as evaluated for accuracy and reliability using ANOVA for accelerometer data, transcription of video for type of movement, and number and length of utterances for speech production. The data collection garment has been implemented in various studies across disciplines.
Accelerometer Data Reduction: A Comparison of Four Reduction Algorithms on Select Outcome Variables
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 11-2005
DOI: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000185674.09066.8A
Abstract: Accelerometers are recognized as a valid and objective tool to assess free-living physical activity. Despite the widespread use of accelerometers, there is no standardized way to process and summarize data from them, which limits our ability to compare results across studies. This paper a) reviews decision rules researchers have used in the past, b) compares the impact of using different decision rules on a common data set, and c) identifies issues to consider for accelerometer data reduction. The methods sections of studies published in 2003 and 2004 were reviewed to determine what decision rules previous researchers have used to identify wearing period, minimal wear requirement for a valid day, spurious data, number of days used to calculate the outcome variables, and extract bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). For this study, four data reduction algorithms that employ different decision rules were used to analyze the same data set. The review showed that among studies that reported their decision rules, much variability was observed. Overall, the analyses suggested that using different algorithms impacted several important outcome variables. The most stringent algorithm yielded significantly lower wearing time, the lowest activity counts per minute and counts per day, and fewer minutes of MVPA per day. An exploratory sensitivity analysis revealed that the most stringent inclusion criterion had an impact on s le size and wearing time, which in turn affected many outcome variables. These findings suggest that the decision rules employed to process accelerometer data have a significant impact on important outcome variables. Until guidelines are developed, it will remain difficult to compare findings across studies.
A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial of an Intervention to Increase Physical Activity of Preschool-Aged Children Attending Early Childhood Education and Care: Study Protocol for the 'Everybody Energise' Trial
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 04-11-2019
Abstract: The use of ‘Energisers,’ short bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), have been shown to significantly increase children’s physical activity within the school setting but not within Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) centres. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of an intervention involving the provision of educator-led daily Energisers to increase the time children spend in MVPA while attending ECEC. Fourteen ECEC centres in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia, will be randomised to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group will be supported by the research team to implement three brief (5-min) educator-led Energisers each day for children aged three to six years between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Control ECEC centres will continue to provide ‘normal practice’ to children. The primary trial outcome is child minutes of MVPA whilst in ECEC, assessed objectively via accelerometery over three days. Outcome assessment will occur at baseline and 6 months post-baseline. Linear mixed models under an intention-to-treat framework will be used to compare differences between groups in MVPA at follow-up. This will be the first cluster randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of Energisers in isolation on increasing the time children spend in MVPA.
Novel approaches to measuring community integration in adults with cerebral palsy
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 17-04-2019
The Association Between Preschooler Physical Activity Duration and Intensity and Social Emotional Development: Findings From the PLAYCE Study
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 07-2021
Abstract: Background : Social emotional development is imperative to young children’s long-term psychological and physical health. Physical activity (PA) may be important for young children’s social emotional development. The association between preschooler PA duration and intensity and social emotional development was investigated. Methods : Data from six hundred and fifty-one 2- to 4-year-olds in the Play Spaces and Environments for Children’s Physical Activity (PLAYCE) study were analyzed. PA was measured using ActiGraph-GT3X accelerometers worn over 7 days. Social emotional development was measured using the parent-completed Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multilevel linear regression models examined the association between PA duration and intensity and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire subscales. Results : Preschoolers did 158.2 (SD = 40.2) minutes per day of PA with 27% meeting the Australian Physical Activity Guidelines for the Early Years. There was a 1.74 point decrease in the total Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire score for each additional hour of moderate-intensity PA per day ( P .05). Similar significant associations were found across all domains of social emotional development except hyperactivity, and were consistent across different intensities of light, moderate, and vigorous PA. Conclusions : These findings highlight the potential importance of PA, especially moderate-intensity play-based PA, for different aspects of preschool children’s social emotional development. Longitudinal and intervention research is required to confirm whether promoting PA in the early years provides developmental benefit.
Comparison of three generations of ActiGraph™ activity monitors in children and adolescents
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-2012
Objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour in children with bronchiectasis: a cross-sectional study
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-01-2019
Adaptations to scale-up an early childhood education and care physical activity intervention for real-world availability — Play Active
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-2023
DOI: 10.1186/S12966-023-01457-7
Abstract: Adaptations for scale-up are ubiquitous but are rarely described in detail. Adaptations may be a key reason for the “scale-up penalty” which is when there is a reduction in intervention effect size following scale-up. The Play Active intervention consists of a physical activity policy for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, with accompanying implementation support strategies. It was first implemented with 81 ECEC services in Perth, Western Australia, in 2021 — with significant positive changes in physical activity practice uptake. The aim of this paper is to describe the extent, type, fidelity consistency, goals, size, scope, and proposed impact of proposed adaptations to the implementation support strategies for scaling-up Play Active. Proposed adaptations were defined as planned changes, made prior to making the intervention available. The authors created a list of adaptations from a comparison of the Play Active implementation support strategies, before and after adaptation for proposed statewide availability across Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia, Australia. We used the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications-Enhanced Implementation Strategies (FRAME-IS) to code adaptations to implementation support strategies. Three authors coded each adaptation and rated their size, scope and proposed impact. Fifty-three adaptations to Play Active were identified. Most (68%) were proposed for the ‘content’ of implementation strategies, including aspects of their delivery. In practice, this involved changing the delivery mode of implementation support strategies from phone call and email support, to website-based delivery. More than half (56%) of adaptations involved ‘adding elements’ for scale-up. Most adaptations were ‘fidelity consistent’ (95%). The main goals for adaptations were related to ‘increasing the acceptability, appropriateness, or feasibility’ (45%), ‘decreasing the costs’ (19%) and ‘increasing adoption of the evidence-based practice’ (19%). Adaptations were small to medium in size, with most proposed to have a positive (87%) or neutral (8%) effect on the effectiveness of the intervention, rather than negative (4%). A large number of small, fidelity-consistent, adaptations were proposed for Play Active scale-up. Overall, the process of reporting adaptations was found to be feasible. To understand the impact of these adaptations, it will be important to re-evaluate implementation, effectiveness and process outcomes, at-scale.
Prediction of activity type in preschool children using machine learning techniques
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.JSAMS.2014.06.003
Abstract: Recent research has shown that machine learning techniques can accurately predict activity classes from accelerometer data in adolescents and adults. The purpose of this study is to develop and test machine learning models for predicting activity type in preschool-aged children. Participants completed 12 standardised activity trials (TV, reading, tablet game, quiet play, art, treasure hunt, cleaning up, active game, obstacle course, bicycle riding) over two laboratory visits. Eleven children aged 3-6 years (mean age=4.8±0.87 55% girls) completed the activity trials while wearing an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer on the right hip. Activities were categorised into five activity classes: sedentary activities, light activities, moderate to vigorous activities, walking, and running. A standard feed-forward Artificial Neural Network and a Deep Learning Ensemble Network were trained on features in the accelerometer data used in previous investigations (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles and the lag-one autocorrelation). Overall recognition accuracy for the standard feed forward Artificial Neural Network was 69.7%. Recognition accuracy for sedentary activities, light activities and games, moderate-to-vigorous activities, walking, and running was 82%, 79%, 64%, 36% and 46%, respectively. In comparison, overall recognition accuracy for the Deep Learning Ensemble Network was 82.6%. For sedentary activities, light activities and games, moderate-to-vigorous activities, walking, and running recognition accuracy was 84%, 91%, 79%, 73% and 73%, respectively. Ensemble machine learning approaches such as Deep Learning Ensemble Network can accurately predict activity type from accelerometer data in preschool children.
Evidence Based Physical Activity for School-age Youth
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2005
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPEDS.2005.01.055
Abstract: To review the effects of physical activity on health and behavior outcomes and develop evidence-based recommendations for physical activity in youth. A systematic literature review identified 850 articles additional papers were identified by the expert panelists. Articles in the identified outcome areas were reviewed, evaluated and summarized by an expert panelist. The strength of the evidence, conclusions, key issues, and gaps in the evidence were abstracted in a standardized format and presented and discussed by panelists and organizational representatives. Most intervention studies used supervised programs of moderate to vigorous physical activity of 30 to 45 minutes duration 3 to 5 days per week. The panel believed that a greater amount of physical activity would be necessary to achieve similar beneficial effects on health and behavioral outcomes in ordinary daily circumstances (typically intermittent and unsupervised activity). School-age youth should participate daily in 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity that is developmentally appropriate, enjoyable, and involves a variety of activities.
Evaluation of a Community-Based Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in Youth: Lessons from Active Winners
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2003
DOI: 10.4278/0890-1171-17.3.171
Abstract: To test the effects of a community-based physical activity intervention designed to increase physical activity and to conduct an extensive process evaluation of the intervention. Quasi-experimental. Two rural communities in South Carolina. One community received the intervention, and the other served as the comparison. Public school students who were in fifth grade at the start of the study (558 at baseline) were eligible to participate. A total of 436 students participated over the course of the study. The intervention included after-school and summer physical activity programs and home, school, and community components designed to increase physical activity in youth. The intervention took place over an 18-month period. Students reported after-school physical activity at three data collection points (prior to, during, and following the intervention) using the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR). They also completed a questionnaire designed to measure hypothesized psychosocial and environmental determinants of physical activity behavior. The process evaluation used meeting records, documentation of program activities, interviews, focus groups, and heart rate monitoring to evaluate the planning and implementation of the intervention. There were no significant differences in the physical activity variables and few significant differences in the psychosocial variables between the intervention and comparison groups. The process evaluation indicated that the after-school and summer physical activity component of the intervention was implemented as planned, but because of resource and time limitations, the home, school, and community components were not implemented as planned. The intervention did not have a significant effect on physical activity in the target population of children in the intervention community. This outcome is similar to that reported in other studies of community-based physical activity intervention.
Technologies to Engage Young Children in Physical Activity: An Online Study of Parenting Practices
Publisher: ACM
Date: 04-12-2018
Objectively Measured Physical Activity in School Children Attending After-School Programs
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 05-2007
Fostering Social Sustainability through Intergenerational Engagement in Australian Neighborhood Parks
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 16-08-2019
DOI: 10.3390/SU11164435
Abstract: Social sustainability includes aspects of equity and is associated with two of the United Nations Sustainable Development goals focused on promoting good health and well-being for all ages. Yet, this pillar of sustainability is considered the least understood, as compared to economic and environmental components. To address this, our study focused on intergenerational engagement within residential neighborhood parks to foster social sustainability and encourage healthy and active living. This study included an intercept survey with open-ended questions of 386 adult park users within 12 parks in South-East Queensland, one of Australia’s fastest-growing areas. Approximately two-thirds (68%) of adult participants visited the park with one or more children, primarily to use the playground. Further thematic analysis shows that intergenerational interactions predominantly include adults playing with or teaching children. However, intergenerational interactions were limited in numerous situations, such as when adults accompany older children. This paper concludes with a discussion on potential ways to increase intergenerational interactions in parks to promote health and well-being for all ages, thus increasing social sustainability within residential developments.
Parental influences on physical activity behavior in preschool children
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.YPMED.2009.11.010
Abstract: To evaluate a conceptual model linking parent physical activity (PA) orientations, parental support for PA, and PA behavior in preschool children. Participants were 156 parent-child dyads from 13 child care centers in Queensland, Australia. Parents completed a questionnaire measuring parental PA, parental enjoyment of PA, perceived importance of PA, parental support for PA, parents' perceptions of competence, and child PA at home. MVPA while attending child care was measured via accelerometry. Data were collected between May and August of 2003. The relationships between the study variables and child PA were tested using observed variable path analysis. Parental PA and parents' perceptions of competence were positively associated with parental support for PA (beta=0.23 and 0.18, respectively, p<0.05). Parental support, in turn, was positively associated with child PA at home (beta=0.16, p<0.05), but not at child care (beta=0.01, p=0.94). Parents' perceptions of competence was positively associated with both home-based and child care PA (beta=0.20 and 0.28, respectively, p<0.05). Family-based interventions targeting preschoolers should include strategies to increase parental support for PA. Parents who perceive their child to have low physical competence should be encouraged to provide adequate support for PA.
Development of physical activity policy and implementation strategies for early childhood education and care settings using the Delphi process
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-10-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12966-020-01034-2
Abstract: The aim of this study was to gain consensus on an evidence informed physical activity policy template for early childhood education and care (ECEC) and determine best-practice dissemination and implementation strategies using the Delphi process. Three-round modified Delphi methodology. During round one an expert working group developed an evidence informed ECEC specific physical activity policy template. Rounds two and three involved national online surveys to seek insight from a group of experts on the draft physical activity policy template. Ninety per cent of experts reported ECEC services are fully responsible for having a physical activity policy. There was consensus on the components of the policy and key physical activity and sedentary behaviour statements and recommendations. The most effective methods for disseminating a physical activity policy to ECEC providers included online (websites, social and electronic media), ECEC targeted launch events, direct mail outs and via professional associations. Twenty five key strategies related to management, supervisors and educators the ECEC physical environment communicating with families and accreditation, monitoring and review, were identified as necessary for the successful implementation of physical activity policy in ECEC. Experts reached consensus on nine of these strategies indicating they were both easy to implement and likely to have a high level of influence. Key barriers and enablers to implementing ECEC-specific physical activity were also identified. This evidence informed physical activity policy template for ECEC provides recommendations on the amount of physical activity and sedentary time (including screen time) children should have whilst attending ECEC and aligns with national/international guidelines. A number of effective physical activity policy implementation strategies for ECEC were identified. An important next step is advocating for the introduction of legislative requirements for services to have and implement a physical activity policy.
Facilitators and Barriers to Adopting Evidence-Based Physical Education in Elementary Schools
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 2011
Abstract: Evidence-based physical education (EBPE) programs have increased physical activity (PA) by as much as 18%, yet widespread adoption has not occurred. Understanding school facilitators and barriers to PE should prove useful to EBPE dissemination efforts. Pairs of principals and PE teachers from 154 schools (75 Adopters and 79 Non-Adopters) from 34 states completed questionnaires. Differences between Adopter and Non-Adopter schools were tested using t tests or Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests and chi-square analyses. Principals and teachers reported distinct PE curriculum adoption decision making roles, but few viewed themselves as very involved in program evaluation. Teachers in Adopter schools were more satisfied with PE program outcomes and had greater involvement in teacher evaluation and program decision making. Compared with teachers, principals were generally more satisfied with their school’s PE program outcomes and did not share the same perceptions of PE barriers. However, principals also demonstrated a general lack of PE program familiarity. To facilitate EBPE adoption, dissemination efforts should target both principals and PE teachers. Increasing principal’s knowledge may be instrumental in addressing some teacher perceptions of barriers to PE. Strategic advocacy efforts, including targeting policies that require PE program evaluation, are needed.
Shade coverage, ultraviolet radiation and children’s physical activity in early childhood education and care
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 31-08-2019
DOI: 10.1007/S00038-019-01289-Y
Abstract: To investigate the association between shade coverage in early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres and pre-school children's physical activity, outdoor time and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. A total of 48 ECEC centres (678 children) in the Western Australian Play Spaces and Environments for Children's Physical Activity (PLAYCE) study took part. Physical activity at ECEC was measured using 7-day accelerometry. UVR exposure was measured using polysulphone film attached to children's shoulders. Educators reported time spent outdoors. The Shade Factor and remote sensing imagery captured shade coverage. Centre vegetation but not Shade Factor was significantly negatively associated with children's UVR exposure (p < 0.001). Higher levels of vegetation were associated with increased time outdoors, but higher levels of the Shade Factor were associated with decreased time outdoors (all p < 0.001). Neither shade measure was significantly associated with physical activity. Outdoor time moderated the relationships between shade measures, physical activity and UVR exposure. The provision of shade, particularly through natural forms such as tree canopy, is an important sun protection strategy and enabler of outdoor time in children attending ECEC.
Plasma lipid and lipoprotein responses during exercise
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2003
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of prolonged exercise on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and to identify caloric time-points where changes occurred. Eleven active male subjects ran on a treadmill at 70% of maximal fitness (VO2max) and expended 6278.7 kilojoules (Kj) energy (1500 kcal). Blood s les were obtained at the 4185.8 Kj (1000 kcal) timepoint during exercise and at each additional 418.6 Kj (100 kcal) expenditure until 6278.7 Kj was expended. After correcting for plasma volume changes, decreases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were observed during exercise at time-points corresponding to 4604.4 and 5441.5 Kj (1100 and 1300 kcal) of energy expenditure, and immediately after exercise. Total cholesterol concentrations decreased significantly at exercise kilojoule expenditures of 4604.4, 5441.5 and 5860.1 (1100, 1300 and 1400 kcal). There were also exercise induced increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and HDL2-C concentrations immediately after exercise. Although acute lipid and lipoprotein changes are typically reported in the days following exercise, the current data indicate that some lipoprotein concentrations change during acute exercise. Our data suggest that a threshold of exercise may be necessary to change lipoproteins during exercise. Future work should identify potential mechanisms (lipoprotein lipase, cholesterol ester transport protein, LDL uptake) that alter lipoprotein concentrations during prolonged exercise.
Factorial Validity and Invariance of Questionnaires Measuring Social-Cognitive Determinants of Physical Activity among Adolescent Girls
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2000
Determinants of Physical Activity in Singaporean Adolescents
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-09-2009
DOI: 10.1007/S12529-009-9060-6
Abstract: An understanding of the factors that influence physical activity behavior is an important prerequisite for the design and implementation of physical activity interventions in adolescents. To date, no studies have investigated the factors that influence physical activity participation in Singaporean adolescents. The purpose of this study was to identify the psychosocial and environmental factors that influence physical activity in a representative s le of Singaporean adolescents (N = 1,814, 919 boys, 895 girls, mean age 14.4 ± 1.1 years). Participants completed the Three-Day Physical Activity Recall and a questionnaire measuring hypothesized psychosocial and environmental correlates of physical activity. Hierarchical regression revealed self-efficacy, enjoyment of physical activity, parental support, and participation in sport teams to be significant correlates of physical activity. Interventions promoting physical activity in Singaporean adolescents should aim to increase self-efficacy perceptions by offering enjoyable, developmentally appropriate physical activity options that promote mastery and adopt policies that increase parental support and awareness of community physical activity programs.
Health risk behaviors of rural sixth graders
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-1998
DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-240X(199812)21:6<475::AID-NUR2>3.0.CO;2-Q
Abstract: The purposes of this study were to examine the frequency and risk factors (correlates) of single and concurrent health risk behaviors (HRBs) including obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol use in a s le of 352 rural, predominately African-American sixth graders. This study was guided by Jessor's (1992) adolescent risk behavior conceptual framework. Data were collected using physical measures and a self-report questionnaire. Thirty-two percent of the s le had no HRB, 44% had one HRB, and 24% had two or more HRBs. Obesity and physical inactivity were more prevalent in this s le than in the general population. Gender differences in risk factors were evident. Our findings suggest the testing of interventions that focus on the social needs of girls and that influence behavioral modeling for boys to reduce single and concurrent health risk behaviors.
Physical activity and population health outcomes
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2003
Using bluetooth proximity sensing to determine where office workers spend time at work
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 07-03-2018
Machine learning for activity recognition: hip versus wrist data
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 23-10-2014
DOI: 10.1088/0967-3334/35/11/2183
Abstract: Wrist-worn accelerometers are associated with greater compliance. However, validated algorithms for predicting activity type from wrist-worn accelerometer data are lacking. This study compared the activity recognition rates of an activity classifier trained on acceleration signal collected on the wrist and hip. 52 children and adolescents (mean age 13.7 ± 3.1 year) completed 12 activity trials that were categorized into 7 activity classes: lying down, sitting, standing, walking, running, basketball, and dancing. During each trial, participants wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ tri-axial accelerometer on the right hip and the non-dominant wrist. Features were extracted from 10-s windows and inputted into a regularized logistic regression model using R (Glmnet + L1). Classification accuracy for the hip and wrist was 91.0% ± 3.1% and 88.4% ± 3.0%, respectively. The hip model exhibited excellent classification accuracy for sitting (91.3%), standing (95.8%), walking (95.8%), and running (96.8%) acceptable classification accuracy for lying down (88.3%) and basketball (81.9%) and modest accuracy for dance (64.1%). The wrist model exhibited excellent classification accuracy for sitting (93.0%), standing (91.7%), and walking (95.8%) acceptable classification accuracy for basketball (86.0%) and modest accuracy for running (78.8%), lying down (74.6%) and dance (69.4%).Potential Impact: Both the hip and wrist algorithms achieved acceptable classification accuracy, allowing researchers to use either placement for activity recognition.
Physical ACTivity in Survivorship (PACTS): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial evaluating a goal-directed therapeutic exercise program in pediatric posterior fossa brain tumor survivors
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S12887-021-02566-7
Abstract: Posterior fossa brain tumors (PFBT) are the most common solid tumor in children. Recent increases in survival rates are encouraging however, survivors may experience a plethora of disease- and treatment-related complications that can persist into adulthood. Therapeutic exercise interventions have been shown to improve quality of survivorship in other pediatric cancer diagnoses. There is also evidence that goal-directed interventions are effective at improving motor activities, function, and self-care in children with complex health conditions. Yet, there is currently no evidence on the efficacy of goal-directed therapeutic exercise in pediatric PFBT survivors. The Physical ACTivity in Survivorship (PACTS) study aims to investigate the effects of a novel goal-directed therapeutic exercise program on cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity-related goal attainment in pediatric survivors of PFBT. PFBT survivors, aged five to 17 years, who underwent surgery at least 12 months earlier and completed radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy at least 6 months prior will be recruited from the Queensland Children’s Hospital (Brisbane, Australia) (target n = 48). Following baseline assessment, participants are randomized into either the intervention or usual care group. The intervention group will receive weekly in idualized, goal-directed exercise therapy delivered face-to-face for 12 weeks, along with an accompanying home-based program (three sessions per week). Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 6- and 12-months post-intervention. The primary outcomes are cardiorespiratory fitness (Peak VO 2 ) and physical activity-related goal attainment. Secondary outcomes are cardiorespiratory endurance, high-level mobility skills, functional muscle strength, habitual physical activity, gait, balance, quality of life, fatigue, participation, perceived movement skill competence and parameters of body composition. PACTS is the first study to investigate the efficacy of goal-directed therapeutic exercise in children with PFBT and provide evidence needed to inform clinical practice recommendations for managing quality of survivorship in PFBT survivors. ACTRN12619000841178 .
Test-retest reliability of four physical activity measures used in population surveys
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2004
DOI: 10.1016/S1440-2440(04)80010-0
Abstract: Accurate monitoring of prevalence and trends in population levels of physical activity (PA) is a fundamental public health need. Test-retest reliability (repeatability) was assessed in population s les for four self-report PA measures: the Active Australia survey (AA, N=356), the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, N=104), the physical activity items in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS, N=127) and in the Australian National Health Survey (NHS, N=122). Percent agreement and Kappa statistics were used to assess reliability of classification of activity status as 'active', 'insufficiently active' or 'sedentary'. Intraclass correlations (ICCs) were used to assess agreement on minutes of activity reported for each item of each survey and for total minutes. Percent agreement scores for activity status were very good on all four instruments, ranging from 60% for the NHS to 79% for the IPAQ. Corresponding Kappa statistics ranged from 0.40 (NHS) to 0.52 (AA). For in idual items, ICCs were highest for walking (0.45 to 0.78) and vigorous activity (0.22 to 0.64) and lowest for the moderate questions (0.16 to 0.44). All four measures provide acceptable levels of test-retest reliability for assessing both activity status and sedentariness, and moderate reliability for assessing total minutes of activity.
Energy Cost of Children’s Structured and Unstructured Games
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 06-2016
Abstract: Limited data are available on energy cost of common children’s games using measured oxygen consumption. Children (10.6 ± 2.9 years N = 37 26 male, 9 female) performed a selection of structured (bowling, juggling, obstacle course, relays, active kickball) and unstructured (basketball, catch, tennis, clothespin tag, soccer) activities for 5 to 30 minutes. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was calculated using Schofield’s age- and sex-specific equation. Children wore a portable metabolic unit, which measured expired gases to obtain oxygen consumption (VO 2 ), youth METs (relative VO 2 /child’s calculated RMR), and activity energy expenditure (kcal/kg/min). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. Relative VO 2 ranged from 16.8 ± 4.6 ml/kg/min (bowling) to 32.2 ± 6.8 ml/kg/min (obstacle course). Obstacle course, relays, active kickball, soccer, and clothespin tag elicited vigorous intensity ( METs), the remainder elicited moderate intensity (3–6 METs). This article contributes energy expenditure data for the update and expansion of the youth compendium.
Physical activity and determinants of physical activity in obese and non-obese children
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-2001
Abstract: To compare the physical activity (PA) patterns and the hypothesized psychosocial and environmental determinants of PA in an ethnically erse s le of obese and non-obese middle school children. Cross-sectional study. One-hundred and thirty-three non-obese and 54 obese sixth grade children (mean age of 11.4+/-0.6). Obesity status determined using the age-, race- and gender-specific 95th percentile for BMI from NHANES-1. Objective measurements were collected of PA over a 7-day period using the CSA 7164 accelerometer: total daily counts daily moderate (3-5.9 METs) physical activity (MPA) daily vigorous physical activity (> or =6 METs VPA) and weekly number of 5, 10 and 20 min bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (> or =3 METs, MVPA). Self-report measures were collected of PA self-efficacy social influences regarding PA, beliefs about PA outcomes perceived PA levels of parents and peers, access to sporting and/or fitness equipment at home, involvement in community-based PA organizations participation in community sports teams and hours spent watching television or playing video games. Compared to their non-obese counterparts, obese children exhibited significantly lower daily accumulations of total counts, MPA and VPA as well as significantly fewer 5, 10 and 20 min bouts of MVPA. Obese children reported significantly lower levels of PA self-efficacy, were involved in significantly fewer community organizations promoting PA and were significantly less likely to report their father or male guardian as physically active. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that physical inactivity is an important contributing factor in the maintenance of childhood obesity. Interventions to promote PA in obese children should endeavor to boost self-efficacy perceptions regarding exercise, increase awareness of, and access to, community PA outlets, and increase parental modeling of PA.
Using objective physical activity measures with youth: How many days of monitoring are needed?
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 02-2000
DOI: 10.1097/00005768-200002000-00025
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to establish the minimal number of days of monitoring required for accelerometers to assess usual physical activity in children. A total of 381 students (189 M, 192 F) wore a CSA 7164 uniaxial accelerometer for seven consecutive days. To examine age-related trends students were grouped as follows: Group I: grades 1-3 (N = 92) Group II: grades 4-6 (N = 98) Group III: grades 7-9 (N = 97) Group IV: grades 10-12 (N = 94). Average daily time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was calculated from minute-by-minute activity counts using the regression equation developed by Freedson et al. (1997). Compared with adolescents in grades 7 to 12, children in grades 1 to 6 exhibited less day-to-day variability in MVPA behavior. Spearman-Brown analyses indicated that between 4 and 5 d of monitoring would be necessary to a achieve a reliability of 0.80 in children, and between 8 and 9 d of monitoring would be necessary to achieve a reliability of 0.80 in adolescents. Within all grade levels, the 7-d monitoring protocol produced acceptable estimates of daily participation in MVPA (R = 0.76 (0.71-0.81) to 0.87 (0.84-0.90)). Compared with weekdays, children exhibited significantly higher levels of MVPA on weekends, whereas adolescents exhibited significantly lower levels of MVPA on weekends. Principal components analysis revealed two distinct time components for MVPA during the day for children (early morning, rest of the day), and three distinct time components for MVPA during the day for adolescents (morning, afternoon, early evening). These results indicate that a 7-d monitoring protocol provides reliable estimates of usual physical activity behavior in children and adolescents and accounts for potentially important differences in weekend versus weekday activity behavior as well as differences in activity patterns within a given day.
Bronchiectasis - Exercise as Therapy (BREATH): rationale and study protocol for a multi-center randomized controlled trial
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-04-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S13063-022-06256-2
Abstract: Globally, bronchiectasis (BE) unrelated to cystic fibrosis (CF) is recognized as a major cause of respiratory morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilization. Children with BE regularly experience exacerbations of their condition resulting in frequent hospitalizations and decreased health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Guidelines for the treatment and management of BE call for regular exercise as a means of improving aerobic fitness and HR-QoL. Moreover, research in adults with BE has shown that exercise can reduce the frequency of exacerbations, a potent predictor of future lung function decline and respiratory morbidity. Yet, to date, the health benefits resulting from therapeutic exercise have not been investigated in children with BE. The BREATH, Bronchiectasis - Exercise as Therapy, trial will test the efficacy of a novel 8-week, play-based therapeutic exercise program to reduce the frequency of acute exacerbations over 12 months in children with BE (aged ≥ 4 and 13 years). Secondary aims are to determine the cost-effectiveness of the intervention and assess the program’s impact on aerobic fitness, fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency, habitual physical activity, HR-QoL, and lung function. This multi-center, observer-blinded, parallel-group (1:1 allocation), randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted at three sites. One hundred and seventy-four children ≥ 4 and 13 years of age with BE will be randomized to a developmentally appropriate, play-based therapeutic exercise program (eight, 60-min weekly sessions, supplemented by a home-based program) or usual care. After completing the baseline assessments, the number of exacerbations and secondary outcomes will be assessed immediately post-intervention, after 6 months of follow-up, and after 12 months of follow-up. Monthly, parental contact and medical review will document acute respiratory exacerbations and parameters for cost-effectiveness outcomes. The BREATH trial is the first fully powered RCT to test the effects of a therapeutic exercise on exacerbation frequency, fitness, movement competence, and HR-QoL in children with bronchiectasis. By implementing a developmentally appropriate, play-based exercise program tailored to the in idual needs of children with bronchiectasis, the results have the potential for a major paradigm shift in the way in which therapeutic exercise is prescribed and implemented in children with chronic respiratory conditions. The exercise program can be readily translated. It does not require expensive equipment and can be delivered in a variety of settings, including the participant’s home. The program has strong potential for translation to other pediatric patient groups with similar needs for exercise therapy, including those with obesity, childhood cancers, and neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR) ACTRN12619001008112
Measuring and Influencing Physical Activity with Smartphone Technology: A Systematic Review
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-02-2014
DOI: 10.1007/S40279-014-0142-5
Abstract: Rapid developments in technology have encouraged the use of smartphones in physical activity research, although little is known regarding their effectiveness as measurement and intervention tools. This study systematically reviewed evidence on smartphones and their viability for measuring and influencing physical activity. Research articles were identified in September 2013 by literature searches in Web of Knowledge, PubMed, PsycINFO, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect. The search was restricted using the terms (physical activity OR exercise OR fitness) AND (smartphone* OR mobile phone* OR cell phone*) AND (measurement OR intervention). Reviewed articles were required to be published in international academic peer-reviewed journals, or in full text from international scientific conferences, and focused on measuring physical activity through smartphone processing data and influencing people to be more active through smartphone applications. Two reviewers independently performed the selection of articles and examined titles and abstracts to exclude those out of scope. Data on study characteristics, technologies used to objectively measure physical activity, strategies applied to influence activity and the main study findings were extracted and reported. A total of 26 articles (with the first published in 2007) met inclusion criteria. All studies were conducted in highly economically advantaged countries 12 articles focused on special populations (e.g. obese patients). Studies measured physical activity using native mobile features, and/or an external device linked to an application. Measurement accuracy ranged from 52 to 100% (n = 10 studies). A total of 17 articles implemented and evaluated an intervention. Smartphone strategies to influence physical activity tended to be ad hoc, rather than theory-based approaches physical activity profiles, goal setting, real-time feedback, social support networking, and online expert consultation were identified as the most useful strategies to encourage physical activity change. Only five studies assessed physical activity intervention effects all used step counts as the outcome measure. Four studies (three pre-post and one comparative) reported physical activity increases (12-42 participants, 800-1,104 steps/day, 2 weeks-6 months), and one case-control study reported physical activity maintenance (n = 200 participants >10,000 steps/day) over 3 months. Smartphone use is a relatively new field of study in physical activity research, and consequently the evidence base is emerging. Few studies identified in this review considered the validity of phone-based assessment of physical activity. Those that did report on measurement properties found average-to-excellent levels of accuracy for different behaviors. The range of novel and engaging intervention strategies used by smartphones, and user perceptions on their usefulness and viability, highlights the potential such technology has for physical activity promotion. However, intervention effects reported in the extant literature are modest at best, and future studies need to utilize randomized controlled trial research designs, larger s le sizes, and longer study periods to better explore the physical activity measurement and intervention capabilities of smartphones.
Built Environments And Child Health in WalEs and AuStralia (BEACHES): a study protocol
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 10-2022
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2022-061978
Abstract: Childhood obesity and physical inactivity are two of the most significant modifiable risk factors for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Yet, a third of children in Wales and Australia are overweight or obese, and only 20% of UK and Australian children are sufficiently active. The purpose of the Built Environments And Child Health in WalEs and AuStralia (BEACHES) study is to identify and understand how complex and interacting factors in the built environment influence modifiable risk factors for NCDs across childhood. This is an observational study using data from five established cohorts from Wales and Australia: (1) Wales Electronic Cohort for Children (2) Millennium Cohort Study (3) PLAY Spaces and Environments for Children’s Physical Activity study (4) The ORIGINS Project and (5) Growing Up in Australia: the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. The study will incorporate a comprehensive suite of longitudinal quantitative data (surveys, anthropometry, accelerometry, and Geographic Information Systems data) to understand how the built environment influences children’s modifiable risk factors for NCDs (body mass index, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and diet). This study has received the following approvals: University of Western Australia Human Research Ethics Committee (2020/ET000353), Ramsay Human Research Ethics Committee (under review) and Swansea University Information Governance Review Panel (Project ID: 1001). Findings will be reported to the following: (1) funding bodies, research institutes and hospitals supporting the BEACHES project (2) parents and children (3) school management teams (4) existing and new industry partner networks (5) federal, state and local governments to inform policy as well as (6) presented at local, national and international conferences and (7) disseminated by peer-reviewed publications.
Physical Activity Levels Among Children Attending Family Day Care
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.JNEB.2013.09.001
Abstract: To objectively measure the physical activity (PA) levels of children attending family day care programs. A total of 114 children from 47 family day care centers wore an accelerometer for the duration of their time in care. Time in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and total PA was calculated using previously validated cut points. Children accumulated 5.8 ± 3.2 minutes of MVPA and 10.4 ± 4.4 minutes of total PA per hour of attendance. Boys exhibited significantly higher levels of PA than girls. Among healthy weight children, 4- and 5-year-olds exhibited significantly higher levels of PA than 2- and 3-year-olds. Overweight and obese 4- and 5-year-olds exhibited significantly lower levels of PA than their healthy weight counterparts. Children attending family day care participate in low levels of PA during the child care day. The results highlight the need for effective programs to promote PA in family day care.
Sensor-enabled Activity Class Recognition in Preschoolers: Hip versus Wrist Data
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 03-2018
The Effects of a Goal Setting Intervention on Aerobic Fitness in Middle School Students
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 10-2019
Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of a goal setting intervention on aerobic fitness (AF) in 6th to 8th grade students. Students at the intervention school received a lesson on SMART goal setting. Students in the comparison school served as a measurement-only group. AF was assessed via the PACER multistage shuttle run test pre and post intervention. Between-group differences for change in AF were assessed using a RM ANCOVA. A significant group by time interaction was observed for PACER performance, F(1,263) = 39.9, p .0001. Intervention students increased PACER performance from 40.6 to 45.9 laps, while comparison students exhibited a decline from 30.2 to 23.4 laps. Intervention students were 10 times as likely as those in the comparison school to maintain Healthy Fitness Zone status or progress from Needs Improvement Zone to Healthy Fitness Zone. Educating middle school students about SMART goal setting may be an effective strategy for improving aerobic fitness.
Papás Activos: Associations between Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Personal Networks among Fathers Living in Texas Colonias
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 10-12-2020
Abstract: Despite growing health disparities in Latino populations related to lack of physical activity (PA), little is known regarding the impact of social networks on PA and sedentary behavior among a s le of Latino fathers residing in functionally rural colonias. Fathers wore accelerometers and responded to questions regarding their self-efficacy and characteristics of who they were active with most often. Fathers (n = 47) attained a mean of 73.3 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA (SD = 23.8) per day and were sedentary for a mean of 364.0 min (SD = 74.4) per day. In total, fathers reported 205 alters and significantly more family members (M = 3.60, SD = 1.64) than friends (M = 0.77, SD = 1.37). Sedentary time was positively associated with number of peers and inversely related to the number of children reported. Minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA was significantly associated with greater self-efficacy and number of family members reported. This study contributes to the evidence by further examining PA correlates of Latino fathers from functionally rural colonia communities. Additionally, this study supported both family systems theory and the socio–ecological model as it details the interpersonal and familial influences of PA behavior. Thus, supports for family activity promotion and programs which impact familial norms and activity at the family level may be particularly useful.
Measurement of screen time among young children aged 0–6 years: A systematic review
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-05-2021
DOI: 10.1111/OBR.13260
Abstract: The impact of screen‐based devices on children's health and development cannot be properly understood without valid and reliable tools that measure screen time within the evolving digital landscape. This review aimed to summarize characteristics of measurement tools used to assess screen time in young children evaluate reporting of psychometric properties and examine time trends related to measurement and reporting of screen time. A systematic review of articles published in English across three databases from January 2009 to April 2020 was undertaken using PROSPERO protocol (registration: CRD42019132599) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Included articles measured screen time as outcome, exposure, or confounder in children 0–6 years. The search identified 35,868 records, 1035 full‐text articles were screened for eligibility, and 622 met inclusion criteria. Most measures (60%) consisted of one to three items and assessed duration of screen time on a usual day. Few measures assessed content (11%) or coviewing (7%). Only 40% of articles provided a citation for the measure, and only 69 (11%) reported psychometric properties—reliability n = 58, validity n = 19, reliability and validity n = 8. Between 2009 and 2019, the number of published articles increased from 28 to 71. From 2015, there was a notable increase in the proportion of articles published each year that assessed exposure to mobile devices in addition to television. The increasing number of published articles reflects increasing interest in screen time exposure among young children. Measures of screen time have generally evolved to reflect children's contemporary digital landscape however, the psychometric properties of measurement tools are rarely reported. There is a need for improved measures and reporting to capture the complexity of children's screen time exposures.
Community Interventions to Promote Proper Nutrition and Physical Activity among Youth
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2000
Automated e-Coaching System Architecture Framework for Promoting Physical Activity
Publisher: IEEE
Date: 03-2018
Physical Activity, Self-Regulation, and Early Academic Achievement in Preschool Children
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 07-12-2013
Randomized trial of three strategies to promote physical activity in general practice
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.YPMED.2008.11.009
Abstract: To evaluate three strategies for promoting physical activity (PA) in a primary care setting. Data were collected between 2002 and 2004 from 136 patients attending two general practices in Brisbane, Australia. Inactive patients (50-70 years) were randomly allocated to one of three hierarchical intervention groups: the general practitioner (GP) group received 'brief' advice the GP+ES group also received behavior change advice from an exercise scientist (ES) and the GP+ES+P group also received a pedometer. Self-reported PA and its determinants were measured at baseline and weeks 12 and 24. Cardio-respiratory variables were measured at baseline and week 12. Overall, mean PA time increased by 84 and 128 min/week at weeks 12 and 24 (p<.01) with no significant group differences. Small improvements in blood pressure and post-exercise heart rate were observed. At week 24, the GP+ES+P group were more likely to report meeting PA guidelines than the GP group (OR=2.39 95% CI: 1.01, 5.64). PA levels can be increased in mid- to older-age adults, either by brief advice from motivated GPs alone, or from collaboration between GPs and ESs. The most intense intervention (GP+ES+P) showed the most promising results.
Psychometric properties of questionnaires to measure social ecological influences in Vietnamese children
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
Children and Exercise XXVII
Publisher: Routledge
Date: 27-02-2011
Measurement of energy expenditure of daily tasks among mothers of young children
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2001
DOI: 10.1016/S1440-2440(01)80047-5
Abstract: There is currently some debate about whether the energy expenditure of domestic tasks is sufficient to confer health benefits. The aim of this study was therefore to measure the energy cost of five activities commonly undertaken by mothers of young children. Seven women with at least one child younger than five years of age spent 15 minutes in each of the following activities: sitting quietly, vacuum cleaning, washing windows, walking at moderate pace (approx 5km/hour), walking with a stroller and grocery shopping in a supermarket. Each of the six 'trials' was completed on the same day, in random order. A carefully calibrated portable gas analyser was used to measure oxygen uptake during each activity, and data were converted to units of energy expenditure (METS). Vacuum cleaning, washing windows and walking with and without a stroller were found to be 'moderate intensity activities' (3 to 6 METs), but supermarket shopping did not reach this criterion. The MET values for these activities were similar to those reported in the Compendium of Physical Activities (Ainsworth et al., 2000). However, the energy expenditures of walking, both with and without a stroller, were higher than those reported in the Compendium. The findings suggest that some of the tasks associated with domestic caring duties are conducted at an intensity which is sufficient to confer some health benefit. Such benefits will only accrue however if the daily duration of these activities is sufficient to meet current guidelines.
The Effect of Substrate Utilization, Manipulated by Nicotinic Acid, on Excess Postexercise Oxygen Consumption
Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Date: 02-1997
Abstract: Increased fat oxidation during the recovery period from exercise is thought to be a contributing factor for excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). In an attempt to study the effect of serum free fatty acid (FFA) availability during exercise and recovery on the EPOC, nicotinic acid, a potent inhibitor of FFA mobilization from adipose tissue, was administered to five trained male cyclists prior to, during, and after a bout of cycling at 65% VO2max. In the nicotinic acid trial, a 500 mg dose of nicotinic acid was ingested prior to exercise, and 100 mg doses were ingested at 15, 30, and 45 min exercise, and 30 min recovery. The cyclists also completed a trial under control conditions. Serum FFA, serum glycerol, RER and VO2 were monitored during rest, exercise, and recovery, each of which was 1-h in duration. Nicotinic acid ingestion prevented the increase in serum FFA that occurred during exercise in the control trial. FFA levels during the nicotinic acid trial were significantly lower than control values during both exercise and recovery. Serum glycerol levels were also significantly lower during exercise in the nicotinic acid trial, indicative of a reduction in lipolysis. RER was not significantly different at rest or during exercise however, RER values were significantly lower during recovery in the control trial, indicative of greater fat oxidation. For both treatments, postexercise VO2 remained elevated above resting levels at the completion of the 1-h recovery period. However, the magnitude of EPOC was significantly reduced after FFA blockade with nicotinic acid (3.4 +/- 0.61 vs 5.5 +/- 0.71). These results support the hypothesis that increased FFA metabolism during exercise and recovery is an important contributing factor to the magnitude of EPOC.
Validity and Reliability of the 3-Day Physical Activity Recall in Singaporean Adolescents
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-2005
Associations between in-school-hours physical activity and child health-related quality of life
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Machine learning to quantify habitual physical activity in children with cerebral palsy
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-05-2020
DOI: 10.1111/DMCN.14560
Physical Activity and Physical Fitness in African-American Girls With and Without Obesity
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-1997
DOI: 10.1002/J.1550-8528.1997.TB00578.X
Abstract: Lack of physical activity and low levels of physical fitness are thought to be contributing factors to the high prevalence of obesity in African-American girls. To examine this hypothesis, we compared habitual physical activity and physical fitness in 54 African-American girls with obesity and 96 African-American girls without obesity residing in rural South Carolina. Participation in vigorous (> or = 6 METs) (VPA) or moderate and vigorous physical activity (> or = 4 METs) (MVPA) was assessed on three consecutive days using the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using the PWC 170 cycle ergometer test. Upper body strength was determined at two sites via isometric cable tensiometer tests. Relative to their counterparts without obesity, girls with obesity reported significantly fewer 30-minute blocks of VPA (0.90 +/- 0.14 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.14) and MVPA (1.2 +/- 0.18 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.16) (p < 0.01). Within the entire s le, VPA and MVPA were inversely associated with body mass index (r = -0.17 and r = -0.19) and triceps skinfold thickness (r = -0.19 and r = -0.22) (p < 0.05). In the PWC 170 test and isometric strength tests, girls with obesity demonstrated absolute scores that were similar to, or greater than, those of girls without obesity however, when scores were expressed relative to bodyweight, girls with obesity demonstrated significantly lower values (p < 0.05). The results support the hypothesis that lack of physical activity and low physical fitness are important contributing factors in the development and/or maintenance of obesity in African-American girls.
Correlates of objectively measured physical activity in preadolescent youth
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-1999
DOI: 10.1016/S0749-3797(99)00056-2
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify the psychosocial and environmental correlates of objectively measured physical activity behavior in a erse s le of sixth-grade students. Cross-sectional. One hundred ninety-eight sixth-grade students from 4 public middle schools in Columbia, South Carolina. The study group was 52.0% female, 55.1% African-American, with a mean age of 11.4 +/- 0.6 years. Time spent in moderate physical activity (MPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) was assessed using a uniaxial accelerometer (CSA WAM 7164) (Computer Science and Applications Inc., Shalimar, FL). Determinant variables included: age, gender, race/ethnicity (demographic) physical activity self-efficacy, social norms related to physical activity, and beliefs regarding physical activity outcomes (psychosocial) and perceived physical activity habits of parents and peers, involvement in community physical activity organizations, involvement in community-based sports programs, access to fitness/sporting equipment at home, and self-reported hours spent watching television or playing video games (environmental). For boys, physical activity self-efficacy, social norms related to physical activity, and involvement in community physical activity organizations were salient predictors of MPA and VPA. Among girls, only physical activity self-efficacy emerged as a clear predictor of objectively measured physical activity. These findings are consistent with previous studies using self-reported physical activity and suggest that interventions to increase physical activity in preadolescent youth should endeavor to boost physical activity self-efficacy by offering a wide selection of enjoyable, developmentally-appropriate physical activity options.
Device-based measurement of physical activity in pre-schoolers: Comparison of machine learning and cut point methods
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 13-04-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0266970
Abstract: Machine learning (ML) accelerometer data processing methods have potential to improve the accuracy of device-based assessments of physical activity (PA) in young children. Yet the uptake of ML methods by health researchers has been minimal and the use of cut-points (CP) continues to be the norm, despite evidence of significant misclassification error. The lack of studies demonstrating a relative advantage for ML approaches over CP methods maybe a key contributing factor. The current study compared the accuracy of PA intensity predictions provided by ML classification models and previously published CPs for preschool-aged children. In a free-living study, 31 preschool-aged children (mean age = 4.0 ± 0.9 y) wore wrist and hip ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers while completing a video recorded 20-minute free play session. Ground truth PA intensity was coded continuously using the Children’s Activity Rating Scale (CARS). Accelerometer data was classified as sedentary (SED), light intensity (LPA), or moderate-to-vigorous intensity (MVPA) using ML random forest PA classifiers and published CPs for preschool-aged children. Performance differences were evaluated in a hold-out s le by comparing weighted kappa statistics, classification accuracy for each intensity band, and equivalence testing. ML classification models (hip: κ = 0.76 wrist: κ = 0.72) exhibited significantly higher agreement with ground truth PA intensity than CP methods (hip: κ = 0.38–0.49 wrist: κ = 0.31–0.44). For the ML models, classification accuracy for SED and LPA ranged from 83% - 88%, while classification accuracy for MVPA ranged from 68% - 78%. For the CP’s, classification accuracy ranged from 50% - 94% for SED, 19% - 75% for LPA, and 44% - 76.1% for MVPA. ML classification models showed equivalence (within ± 0.5 SD) with directly observed time in SED, LPA, and MVPA. None of the CP’s exhibited evidence of equivalence. Under free living conditions, ML classification models for hip or wrist accelerometer data provide more accurate assessments of PA intensity in young children than CP methods. The results demonstrate the relative advantage of ML methods over threshold-based approaches and adds to a growing evidence base supporting the feasibility and accuracy of ML accelerometer data processing methods.
The impact of school uniforms on primary school student’s physical activity at school: outcomes of a cluster randomized controlled trial
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-01-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S12966-021-01084-0
Abstract: Many school-based physical activity (PA) interventions are complex and have modest effects when delivered in real world contexts. A commonly reported barrier to students’ PA, particularly among girls, are uniforms that are impractical (e.g. tunic/dress and black leather shoes). Modifying student uniforms may represent a simple intervention to enhance student PA. The primary aim of this trial was to assess the impact of a PA enabling uniform intervention (shorts, polo shirt and sports shoes) on girls’ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total PA i.e. counts per minute (cpm). A cluster randomized controlled trial was undertaken in 42 primary schools in New South Wales, Australia. Schools were randomized on one school day to the intervention group, where students wore a PA enabling uniform (their sports uniform) or a control group, where students wore their usual traditional uniform. Student PA was measured using wrist-worn Actigraph GT3X and GT9X accelerometers. Linear mixed models controlling for student characteristics were used to examine the effects of the intervention.. Of the 3351 eligible students, 2315 (69.1%) had parental consent and 2180 of these consenting students participated (94.2%) of which 1847 (84.7%) were included in the analysis. For the primary aim the study found no significant differences between girls at schools allocated to the intervention relative to the control on change in MVPA (0.76 min, 95% CI − 0.47 to 1.99, p = 0.22) or cpm (36.99, 95% CI − 13.88 to 87.86, p = 0.15). Exploratory analysis revealed small effects for a number of findings, including significant reduction in sedentary activity (− 1.77, 95% CI − 3.40 to − 0.14, p = 0.035) among all students at schools allocated to the intervention, and non-significant improvements in girls’ light intensity PA (1.47 min, 95% CI − 0.06 to 3.00, p = 0.059) and sedentary activity (− 2.23 min 95% CI − 4.49 to 0.02, p = 0.052). The findings suggests that the intervention may yield small improvements in some measure of PA and require substantiation in a larger RCT with longer-term follow-up. The inclusion of additional intervention components may be required to achieve more meaningful effects. The trial was prospectively registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12617001266358 1st September 2017.
Validity of the OMNI rating of perceived exertion scale for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-01-2015
DOI: 10.1111/DMCN.12703
Abstract: This study evaluated the validity of the OMNI Walk/Run Rating of Perceived Exertion (OMNI-RPE) scores with heart rate and oxygen consumption (VO₂) for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Children and adolescents with CP, aged 6 to 18 years and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to III completed a physical activity protocol with seven trials ranging in intensity from sedentary to moderate-to-vigorous. VO₂ and heart rate were recorded during the physical activity trials using a portable indirect calorimeter and heart rate monitor. Participants reported OMNI-RPE scores for each trial. Concurrent validity was assessed by calculating the average within-subject correlation between OMNI-RPE ratings and the two physiological indices. For the correlational analyses, 48 participants (22 males, 26 females age 12y 6mo, SD 3y 4mo) had valid bivariate data for VO₂ and OMNI-RPE, while 40 participants (21 males, 19 females age 12y 5mo, SD 2y 9mo) had valid bivariate data for heart rate and OMNI-RPE. VO₂ (r=0.80 95% CI 0.66-0.88) and heart rate (r=0.83 95% CI 0.70-0.91) were moderately to highly correlated to OMNI-RPE scores. No difference was found for the correlation of physiological data and OMNI-RPE scores across the three GMFCS levels. The OMNI-RPE scores increased significantly in a dose-response manner (F(6,258) =116.1, p<0.001) as exercise intensity increased from sedentary to moderate-to-vigorous. OMNI-RPE is a clinically feasible option to monitor exercise intensity in ambulatory children and adolescents with CP.
Utility of the Youth Compendium of Physical Activities
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-07-2018
Comparative effects of home- and group-based exercise on balance confidence and balance ability in older adults: Cluster randomized trial
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 2008
DOI: 10.1159/000155653
Abstract: i Background: /i Exercise can modify fall risk factors such as balance and mobility impairments. However, can exercise improve balance confidence? In one strength-training study, researchers reported that a change in balance confidence was not uniformly associated with changes in objective measures of fall risk or physical performance. In fact, some participants’ balance confidence decreased while their physical abilities increased and vice versa. i Objective: /i The aim of this study was to compare changes in balance confidence and balance ability resulting from three exercise interventions (home-based resistance and balance training (RBT), group-based RBT and group-based walking), and the concomitant relationships between change in balance confidence and change in ability. It was hypothesized that participants in the group-based RBT program would improve their balance confidence and performance more than those in the home-based or walking programs. i Methods: /i In a cluster-randomized design, nine retirement villages were assigned to one of the three exercise groups. One hundred and sixty-seven independent-living residents (aged 65–96 years) participated. Each group exercised twice weekly for 20 weeks. Objective balance ability was measured using timed tandem and one-leg stands (static balance), and the 8-foot (2.5 m) up-and-go test (dynamic balance/agility). Balance confidence was assessed using the self-report Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. i Results: /i Participants in the group-based RBT program improved their static balance scores more than those in the home-based program however, improvements in balance confidence were greater among participants in the home-based program (all p 0.05). Discordance between static balance and balance confidence change scores was evident for up to 20% of participants. Change in ABC score was weakly correlated with a change in the up-and-go test score. i Conclusions: /i Exercise training can improve balance confidence and balance ability in retirement village residents. However, as has been shown previously, this study found that exercise interventions may improve balance ability without associated increases in balance confidence and vice versa. Whether the ABC score and balance ability can be enhanced by providing a tailored intervention to improve balance confidence in combination with a RBT program requires further study.
Adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines among rural Brazalian preschool children: associations with parenting practices
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-10-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S12966-022-01369-Y
Abstract: Young children residing in rural areas of low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) such as Brazil are at greater risk of obesity and related chronic health conditions. Yet, the extent to which rural preschool children from Brazil aged 3- to 6-years meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) 24-hour movement guidelines is unknown. Parents play a central role in the development of children’s movement behaviors with logistic support, co-participation, modelling, and setting rules and limits recognized as influential parenting practices. However, the bulk of parenting research has been conducted in families from high income countries (HICs) and little is known about the relationship between parenting practices and children’s movement behaviors in LMIC communities. Therefore, the aims of this study were two-fold: (1) report the proportion of preschool children from low-income families in rural Brazil meeting the WHO 24-hour movement guidelines and (2) determine associations with theory-based parenting practices related to physical activity, screen time, and sleep. A representative s le of 324 families from a rural district in north-eastern Brazil completed a validated, culturally adapted interviewer-administered survey assessing child physical activity, screen time and sleep, and associated parenting practices. The proportion of children meeting the physical activity, screen time, and sleep recommendations and all combinations of these recommendations was calculated. Forward selection logistic regression was used to determine which parenting practices were associated with meeting the in idual recommendations and the 24-hour movement guidelines. Less than half of the children (47.5%) met the physical activity recommendation, 22% met the screen time recommendation, 62% met the sleep recommendation, with just over 10% meeting all three recommendations in the 24-h movement guidelines. Having fewer rules and restrictions around indoor and outdoor play, limiting, or monitoring screen time, and maintaining a consistent bedtime routine were key parenting practices associated with children´s adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines. Only 1 in 10 rural Brazilian preschool children meet the 24-hour movement guidelines. These findings underscore the need for family-based interventions targeting parenting practices to support healthful movement behaviors in young children from LMICs.
The feasibility of a home-based moderate-intensity physical activity intervention in obese children and adolescents
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 07-05-2008
Abstract: To explore the feasibility of conducting a 10-week home-based physical activity (PA) programme and evaluate the changes in insulin sensitivity (S(I)) commensurate with the programme in obese young people. Open-labelled intervention. Home-based intervention with clinical assessments at a tertiary paediatric hospital. 18 obese (body mass index (BMI)>International Obesity Task Force age and sex-specific cut-offs) children and adolescents (8-18 years, 11 girls/7 boys) were recruited. 15 participants (nine girls/six boys, mean+/-SE age 11.8+/-0.6 years, BMI-SD scores (BMI-SDS) 3.5+/-0.1, six prepubertal/nine pubertal) completed the intervention. The programme comprised biweekly home visits over 10 weeks with personalised plans implemented aiming to increase moderate-intensity PA. Pedometers and PA diaries were used as self-monitoring tools. The goals were to (1) teach participants behavioural skills related to adopting and maintaining an active lifestyle and (2) increase daily participation in PA. Mean steps/day were assessed. S(I) assessed by the frequently s led intravenous glucose tolerance test and other components of the insulin resistance syndrome were measured. Mean steps/day increased significantly from 10 363+/-927 (baseline) to 13 013+/-1131 (week 10) (p<0.05). S(I) was also significantly increased, despite no change in BMI-SDS, and remained so after an additional 10-week follow-up. The results suggest that such a home-based PA programme is feasible. S(I) improved without changes in BMI-SDS. More rigorous evaluations of such programmes are warranted.
Predictors of Alcohol Use Among Rural Adolescents
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-1996
DOI: 10.1111/J.1748-0361.1996.TB00805.X
Abstract: There is increasing evidence that alcohol use is becoming more common during childhood and early adolescence. However, little is known about alcohol use among rural youths. This article reports a study of alcohol use among 367 fifth-grade students in two rural South Carolina school districts. More than one third (n = 131) of the fifth graders reported having used alcohol. Of these, 34 percent (n = 44) reported drinking during the previous month 8 percent had been intoxicated during the previous two months and 54 percent reported drinking in the home with or without parental approval. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of alcohol use by fifth graders. The results indicated that gender (OR = 2.82), mother's alcohol use (OR = 1.86), father's alcohol use (OR = 2.13), and smoking (OR = 8.30) were significantly associated with alcohol use. The findings suggest that prevention programs address cigarette smoking and drinking behaviors of parents to reduce alcohol use and the acquisition of other health compromising behavior by youths. Early intervention approaches must go beyond the schools and target families as well as community populations.
Wrist Acceleration Cut Points for Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in Youth
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 03-2018
Supporting healthy lifestyle behaviours in families attending community playgroups: parents’ perceptions of facilitators and barriers
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2019
DOI: 10.1186/S12889-019-8041-1
Abstract: Establishing healthy nutrition, activity, and sleep behaviours early in life is a key strategy in childhood obesity prevention. Parents are the primary influence on the development and establishment of obesity-related behaviours in young children. There is evidence that autonomy supporting parenting practices are crucial for the development of self-regulation and the internalisation of healthy behaviours in children. It is therefore imperative that parenting practices are targeted as part of an obesity prevention intervention. However, there is limited understanding of barriers and facilitators to parents using autonomy supporting parenting practices with their children aged 0–5 years. Therefore, the aim of the study was to identify barriers and facilitators to using autonomy supporting parenting practices. A secondary aim was to determine parent preferences in respect to an intervention program to be delivered in community playgroups. Parents were recruited through Playgroup Queensland (PGQ), a not-for-profit organisation in Brisbane, Australia, to attend a focus group during their usual playgroup session. The focus group interview guide was designed to promote discussion among the participants in respect to their shared experiences as parents of young children. The focus group transcripts were coded and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Five focus groups with parents ( n = 30) were conducted in May 2018. Most of the participants were mothers [1], and the majority (76%) had a child at playgroup aged between 2 and 4 years. The support and guidance received from other parents at playgroup was a facilitator to autonomy supporting parenting practices. Barriers included beliefs around the need to use rewards to encourage child eating, beliefs around the need for screens as babysitters, and feeling disempowered to change sleep behaviours. Parents were enthusiastic about a potential program that would leverage off the existing playgroup support networks, but they did not want to be “educated”, or to lose their “playgroup time” to an intervention. Rather they wanted strategies and support to deal with the frustrations of food, screen and sleep parenting. These results will be used to inform the development of a childhood obesity prevention intervention to be delivered in a community playgroup setting.
Study protocol for Running for Health (Run4Health): a randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of Frame Running (RaceRunning) training on cardiovascular health in children and youth with cerebral palsy
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 08-08-2023
DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.06.23293736
Abstract: It is well established that young people with moderate-severe (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels II-V) cerebral palsy (CP) participate in less physical activity compared to typically developed peers, and children with CP who can walk without limitations (GMFCS level I). Frame Running (formerly RaceRunning) is a World Para Athletics sanctioned sport that allows people with moderate-severe CP to access, experience and compete in running using a specialised three-wheeled frame with low rolling resistance. The Run4Health pilot randomised controlled trial (protocol published elsewhere) was designed to investigate the cardiorespiratory benefits of a 12-week frame running training program in young people with CP (aged 8-21 years, GMFCS II-V). Following enrolment of 12 participants in the pilot study, additional funding was secured to expand the Run4Health study to include additional training/study sites, new research questions and outcome measures, based on feedback from consumers. Such changes necessitate an expanded and updated study protocol. This expanded Run4Health study will investigate the effects of a 12- week Frame Running training program on cardiorespiratory health, bone mineral density, gross motor function and capacity, physical activity participation, sleep, pain and quality of life in children and youth (aged 8-21 years) with moderate-severe CP (GMFCS levels II-V). One hundred and two children and youth with CP (age 8-21 years) classified in GMFCS levels II-V will be recruited across three sites (six training locations) and randomised to receive either 12 weeks of Frame Running training twice weekly for 60 minutes, or 12 weeks of usual care (waitlist control group). Outcomes will be measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 12 weeks post-intervention. The control group will receive the intervention following T3, and have an additional assessment session following 12 weeks of training (T4). Outcomes include cardiorespiratory fitness, bone mineral density, blood pressure, habitual physical activity, body mass index, waist circumference, percentage body fat, gross motor function and capacity, community participation, sleep, pain, quality of life and mood, health utility, feasibility, tolerability, and safety. Adverse events will be monitored, and participants, caregivers and coaches will be interviewed to explore barriers and facilitators to ongoing, sustainable participation in Frame Running. Ethical approval for this study was granted by The Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service (HREC/21/QCHQ/69281) and the University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committees (2021/HE000725). Research outcomes will be disseminated via scientific conferences and publications in peer reviewed journals to therapists and coaches through professional and athletic organisations and to people with CP and their families. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number: ACTRN12621000317897
Balanced: a randomised trial examining the efficacy of two self-monitoring methods for an app-based multi-behaviour intervention to improve physical activity, sitting and sleep in adults
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-07-2016
Physical Activity Programming in Family Child Care Homes: Providers' Perceptions of Practices and Barriers
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.JNEB.2008.01.013
Abstract: To examine family child care home (FCCH) providers' perceptions of appropriate physical activity (PA), current practices, and perceived barriers to inclusion of PA within their programs. A trained facilitator lead 4 focus group sessions of FCCH providers. Questions addressed providers' planning for PA, resources and barriers, and perceptions of children's engagement. Family child care homes. 32 FCCH providers (100% female) caring for children 6 weeks to 5 years old in predominantly mixed-age programs. Types of and extent to which PA was offered for children and perceived barriers to PA in this setting. Authors coded and analyzed transcriptions based on a socioecological framework using qualitative data analysis software. Majority of providers reported running and dancing to music as the most common PA, generally in an unstructured context. Frequency varied from none to twice a day. Few providers reported planning intentionally for PA any plans followed children's interests. Barriers to inclusion of PA included personal, programming, parent, environmental, and financial reasons. Providers requested training on PA, particularly ideas for experiences in mixed-age groups. Type, frequency, consistency, and duration of PA among FCCH homes vary widely. Implications include training on PA and resources tailored to the unique characteristics of family child care homes.
A Prospective Study of the Determinants of Physical Activity in Rural Fifth-Grade Children
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-1997
Psychosocial correlates of physical activity in white and African-American girls
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2002
DOI: 10.1016/S1054-139X(02)00375-0
Abstract: To evaluate the relative utility of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in explaining intentions and physical activity behavior in white and African-American eighth-grade girls. One-thousand-thirty white and 1.114 African-American eighth-grade girls (mean age 13.6 +/- 0.7 years) from 31 middle schools in South Carolina completed a 3-day physical activity recall and a questionnaire assessing attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, and intentions related to regular participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Among Whites, 17% of the variance in intentions was contributed by subjective norms and attitude, with intentions accounting for 8% of the variance in MVPA. The addition of perceived behavioral control and self-efficacy to the TRA significantly improved the prediction of intentions and MVPA accounting for 40% and 10% of the variance, respectively. Among African-Americans, subjective norms and attitude accounted for 13% of the variance in intentions, with intentions accounting for only 3% of the variance in MVPA. The addition of perceived behavioral control and self-efficacy to the TRA significantly improved the prediction of intentions and MVPA accounting for 28% and 5% of the variance, respectively. The results provided limited empirical support for the TPB among white adolescent girls however, our findings suggest that the planned behavior framework has limited utility among African-American adolescent girls. The relatively weak link between intentions and MVPA observed in both population groups suggest that constructs external to the TPB may be more important mediators of physical activity behavior in adolescent girls.
Physical Activity Correlates in Adolescent Girls Who Differ by Weight Status
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2006
DOI: 10.1038/OBY.2006.12
Abstract: This study compared correlates of physical activity (PA) among African-American and white girls of different weight groups to guide future interventions. Participants were 1015 girls (mean age, 14.6 years 45% African-American) from 12 high schools in South Carolina who served as control subjects for a school-based intervention. Post-intervention measures obtained at the end of ninth grade were used. PA was measured using the Three-Day PA Recall, and a questionnaire measured social-cognitive and environmental variables thought to mediate PA. Height and weight were measured, and BMI was calculated. Girls were stratified by race and categorized into three groups, based on BMI percentiles for girls from CDC growth charts: normal (BMI or = 95th percentile). Girls were further ided into active and low-active groups, based on a vigorous PA standard (average of one or more 30-minute blocks per day per 3-day period). Mixed-model ANOVA was used to compare factors among groups, treating school as a random effect None of the social-cognitive or environmental variables differed by weight status for African-American or white girls. Perceived behavioral control and sports team participation were significantly higher in girls who were more active, regardless of weight or race group. In general, social-cognitive variables seem to be more related to activity in white girls, whereas environmental factors seem more related to activity in African-American girls. PA interventions should be tailored to the unique needs of girls based on PA levels and race, rather than on weight status alone.
Use of Physical Activity Self-Management Strategies by High School Students
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 02-2015
Abstract: Teaching adolescents to use self-management strategies may be an effective approach to promoting lifelong physical activity (PA). However, the extent to which adolescents use self-management strategies and their impact on current PA have not been studied previously. The aims of this study were 1) to describe the prevalence of self-management strategy use in adolescents and 2) to determine relationships between self-management strategy use, PA self-efficacy, and PA participation. 197 students completed questionnaires measuring use of self-management strategies, self-efficacy, and PA behavior. The most prevalent self-management strategies ( %) were thinking about the benefits of PA, making PA more enjoyable, choosing activities that are convenient, setting aside time to do PA, and setting goals to do PA. Fewer than 10% reported rewarding oneself for PA, writing planned activities in a book or calendar, and keeping charts of PA. Use of self-management strategies was associated with increased self-efficacy ( r = .47, p .001) and higher levels of PA ( r = .34 p .001). A 1-unit difference in self-management strategy scores was associated with a ~fourfold increase in the probability of being active (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.8-7.4). Although strongly associated with PA, a relatively small percentage of adolescents routinely use self-management strategies.
Active Play Network Influences on Physical Activity Among Children Living in Texas Colonias
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 12-01-2021
Validity of the Apple Watch® for monitoring push counts in people using manual wheelchairs
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 27-02-2021
Influences of Preschool Policies and Practices on Children's Physical Activity
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-2004
DOI: 10.1023/B:JOHE.0000022025.77294.AF
Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine if moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of 3-5 year old preschool children varied with differences in policies ractices, and overall quality of preschools. A total of 266 children (47% males, 60% African American) from 9 preschools were observed for 1 hour on 3 different days. PA of children was observed twice per minute and scored as 1-5, with 1 for stationary/motionless and 5 for fast movement. Summary MVPA was calculated over the 3 days as percent of times observed at levels of 4 or 5, and percent of time at levels 1 or 2 as sedentary activity. A structured interview about PA policies was conducted with an administrator at each preschool and overall quality of the preschool was assessed using Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised Edition (ECERS-R). Preschools were ided into groups according to whether a specific policy ractice that would be logically hypothesized to promote PA was in place at the school. MVPA differences between groups of children was assessed using mixed ANOVA controlling for preschool. When preschools offered more field trips, and more college educated teachers, the children participated in more MVPA. Children who attended preschools with lower quality spent more time in sedentary activity. In conclusion, children in preschools which may have more resources and better quality appear to show both more sedentary behavior and more MVPA.
Exploring the effect of a school‐based cluster‐randomised controlled trial to increase the scheduling of physical activity for primary school students on teachers’ physical activity
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-05-2021
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.499
Abstract: To determine if a school‐based physical activity (PA) intervention that supported primary school teachers to schedule PA during school hours impacted their own PA. A 2x2 factorial group cluster‐randomised controlled trial was undertaken in 12 Australian primary schools. The nine‐month intervention supported classroom teachers to increase scheduled weekly PA for their class via physical education, sport, Energisers and integrated lessons. Teachers’ PA (n = 76) was measured at follow‐up only using accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X or GT9X). Linear mixed models were used to estimate between‐group differences in teachers’ mean minutes of sedentary, light, moderate‐to‐vigorous‐intensity physical activity (MVPA) across the school day and during class‐time. At follow‐up, there were non‐significant between‐group differences favouring intervention teachers, compared to controls, for light PA (4.9 minutes, 95% CI: −6.3, 16.0 P = .33) and MVPA (0.4 minutes, 95% CI: −10.9, 11.6 P = .94) across the school day although not favouring the intervention for sedentary behaviour (5.1 minutes, 95% CI: −11.4, 21.7 P = .48). Similar patterns were seen during class‐time for light PA and sedentary time, but not for MVPA. Supporting teachers with the scheduling of PA for their class may impact on their own PA. Fully powered studies are needed to better understand the impact of the intervention on teachers’ PA. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12616001228471 ( www.anzctr.org.au/ ).
Advances in population surveillance for physical activity and sedentary behavior: Reliability and validity of time use surveys
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 20-09-2010
DOI: 10.1093/AJE/KWQ265
Abstract: Many countries conduct regular national time use surveys, some of which date back as far as the 1960s. Time use surveys potentially provide more detailed and accurate national estimates of the prevalence of sedentary and physical activity behavior than more traditional self-report surveillance systems. In this study, the authors determined the reliability and validity of time use surveys for assessing sedentary and physical activity behavior. In 2006 and 2007, participants (n = 134) were recruited from work sites in the Australian state of New South Wales. Participants completed a 2-day time use diary twice, 7 days apart, and wore an accelerometer. The 2 diaries were compared for test-retest reliability, and comparison with the accelerometer determined concurrent validity. Participants with similar activity patterns during the 2 diary periods showed reliability intraclass correlations of 0.74 and 0.73 for nonoccupational sedentary behavior and moderate/vigorous physical activity, respectively. Comparison of the diary with the accelerometer showed Spearman correlations of 0.57-0.59 and 0.45-0.69 for nonoccupational sedentary behavior and moderate/vigorous physical activity, respectively. Time use surveys appear to be more valid for population surveillance of nonoccupational sedentary behavior and health-enhancing physical activity than more traditional surveillance systems. National time use surveys could be used to retrospectively study nonoccupational sedentary and physical activity behavior over the past 5 decades.
Traffic exposure, air pollution and children's physical activity at early childhood education and care
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.IJHEH.2021.113885
Abstract: A significant number of children attend Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). ECEC is an important environment and behaviour setting for young children. Time spent outdoors is positively associated with children's physical activity levels, yet increased time spent physically active outdoors may expose young children to traffic-related air pollution, particularly in ECEC centres located in high traffic areas. This study was part of the Play Spaces and Environments for Children's Physical Activity (PLAYCE) study, Perth, Western Australia. Data from 22 ECEC centres and 478 children were collected. Continuous measures of indoor and outdoor fine particulate matter (PM Outdoor PM Time periods when air pollution concentrations in ECECs are highest correspond with times when preschoolers are likely to be physically active outdoors. Children's potential exposure to traffic-related air pollutants is occurring during a period of rapid lung development. Given there is no evidence of a safe level of exposure to PM
Queensland Family Cohort: a study protocol.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-044463
Abstract: The perinatal–postnatal family environment is associated with childhood outcomes including impacts on physical and mental health and educational attainment. Family longitudinal cohort studies collect in-depth data that can capture the influence of an era on family lifestyle, mental health, chronic disease, education and financial stability to enable identification of gaps in society and provide the evidence for changes in government in policy and practice. The Queensland Family Cohort (QFC) is a prospective, observational, longitudinal study that will recruit 12 500 pregnant families across the state of Queensland (QLD), Australia and intends to follow-up families and children for three decades. To identify the immediate and future health requirements of the QLD population pregnant participants and their partners will be enrolled by 24 weeks of gestation and followed up at 24, 28 and 36 weeks of gestation, during delivery, on-ward, 6 weeks postpartum and then every 12 months where questionnaires, biological s les and physical measures will be collected from parents and children. To examine the impact of environmental exposures on families, data related to environmental pollution, household pollution and employment exposures will be linked to pregnancy and health outcomes. Where feasible, data linkage of state and federal government databases will be used to follow the participants long term. Biological s les will be stored long term for future discoveries of biomarkers of health and disease. Ethical approval has been obtained from the Mater Research Ethics (HREC/16/MHS/113). Findings will be reported to (1) QFC participating families (2) funding bodies, institutes and hospitals supporting the QFC (3) federal, state and local governments to inform policy (4) presented at local, national and international conferences and (5) disseminated by peer-review publications.
Patterns and Correlates of Sedentary Behavior in Children Attending Family Child Care
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 15-01-2020
Abstract: Public health authorities recommend young children should not be sedentary for more than one hour at a time. This study assessed the frequency and duration of sedentary bouts in children attending family child care homes (FCCHs) and examined associations with FCCH provider practices related to sedentary behaviors. Overall, 127 children (aged 3.5 ± 1.1 years) from 41 FCCHs participated in the study. Sedentary bouts were measured using an accelerometer worn for the duration of FCCHs attendance over a randomly selected week. Provider practices were assessed using the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care self-assessment instrument. Children attending FCCHs mostly accumulated short sedentary bouts ( min) with very few lasting more than 10 min. Boys exhibited significantly fewer sedentary bouts, and significantly less sedentary time in bouts than girls. Children attending FCCHs that met or exceeded childcare standards for outdoor active play, had portable play equipment, offered a variety of fixed play equipment, and/or adequate indoor play space exhibited significantly fewer sedentary bouts and significantly less sedentary time accumulated in short and medium length bouts. Programs encouraging FCCHs to adopt physical activity promoting practices could potentially reduce child sedentary time while in care.
Step based physical activity guidelines for preschool-aged children
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.YPMED.2014.11.008
Abstract: Public health organizations recommend that preschool-aged children accumulate at least 3h of physical activity (PA) daily. Objective monitoring using pedometers offers an opportunity to measure preschooler's PA and assess compliance with this recommendation. The purpose of this study was to derive step-based recommendations consistent with the 3h PA recommendation for preschool-aged children. The study s le comprised 916 preschool-aged children, aged 3 to 6years (mean age=5.0±0.8years). Children were recruited from kindergartens located in Portugal, between 2009 and 2013. Children wore an ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer that measured PA intensity and steps per day simultaneously over a 7-day monitoring period. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify the daily step count threshold associated with meeting the daily 3hour PA recommendation. A significant correlation was observed between minutes of total PA and steps per day (r=0.76, p<0.001). The optimal step count for ≥3h of total PA was 9099 steps per day (sensitivity (90%) and specificity (66%)) with area under the ROC curve=0.86 (95% CI: 0.84 to 0.88). Preschool-aged children who accumulate less than 9000 steps per day may be considered Insufficiently Active.
Culture and community: observation of mealtime enactment in early childhood education and care settings
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-08-2019
Energy Cost Expression for a Youth Compendium of Physical Activities: Rationale for Using Age Groups
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 02-2018
Abstract: Purpose: This study compared the accuracy of physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) prediction using 2 methods of accounting for age dependency versus 1 standard (single) value across all ages. Methods: PAEE estimates were derived by pooling data from 5 studies. Participants, 6–18 years ( n = 929), engaged in 14 activities while in a room calorimeter or wearing a portable metabolic analyzer. Linear regression was used to estimate the measurement error in PAEE (expressed as youth metabolic equivalent) associated with using age groups (6–9, 10–12, 13–15, and 16–18 y) and age-in-years [each year of chronological age (eg, 12 = 12.0–12.99 y)] versus the standard (a single value across all ages). Results: Age groups and age-in-years showed similar error, and both showed less error than the standard method for cycling, skilled, and moderate- to vigorous-intensity activities. For sedentary and light activities, the standard had similar error to the other 2 methods. Mean values for root mean square error ranged from 0.2 to 1.7 youth metabolic equivalent across all activities. Error reduction ranged from −0.2% to 21.7% for age groups and −0.23% to 18.2% for age-in-years compared with the standard. Conclusions: Accounting for age showed lower errors than a standard (single) value using an age-dependent model in the Youth Compendium is recommended.
Associations between the home yard and preschoolers’ outdoor play and physical activity
Publisher: The Sax Institute
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.17061/PHRP2911907
Abstract: Objectives and importance of study: Young children's outdoor play mostly occurs within the home-yard space, yet the influence of the home yard on preschoolers' outdoor play and physical activity is poorly understood. We investigated the relationships between home-yard features and home-based outdoor play and physical activity in preschoolers (2-5 years old). Cross-sectional observational study. The PLAY Spaces and Environments for Children's Physical Activity (PLAYCE) study (2015-2017) included 1596 children aged 2-5 years attending early childhood education and care (ECEC) services throughout metropolitan Perth, Western Australia. In this study, a subs le of 224 parents from the PLAYCE study completed an online questionnaire about home-yard features (yard size, lawn quality, natural features, fixed and portable play equipment, and flowers and vegetables/herbs). Accelerometers measured the duration of preschoolers' moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on non-ECEC days. Parent-reported outdoor play at home, sociodemographic factors and social environment factors were collected via the PLAYCE parent survey. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine associations between home-yard features and preschoolers' outdoor play and physical activity. Children spent 68.9 (SD 2.2) minutes playing outdoors in the home yard per day, and 93.3 (SD 37.1) minutes in MVPA per day on non-ECEC days. After adjusting for child and parent factors, home-yard features positively associated with outdoor play included yard size, lawn quality, number of types of fixed and portable play equipment, natural features and play areas (all p ≤ 0.05). When all significant home-yard features were placed in a model, only the number of types of fixed play equipment was positively associated with minutes of outdoor play per day (β = 5.3, p < 0.001). After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, the number of types of portable play equipment in the yard was positively associated with MVPA minutes per day (β = 2.16, p = 0.019) however, this became nonsignificant after further adjusting for social environment factors. Features of the home-yard physical environment were positively associated with preschoolers' outdoor play and physical activity. Each additional type of fixed play equipment present was associated with an additional 5 minutes of outdoor play per day. These findings suggest that the home-yard space has the potential to facilitate increased outdoor play in young children. Further research is warranted to explore causal relationships between home-yard attributes and young children's outdoor play and physical activity.
Adherence to physical activity and electronic media guidelines in Australian pre-school children
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1440-1754.2008.01445.X
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine compliance with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) guideline for physical activity and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendation for electronic media use among urban pre‐school children in two large cities on the East Coast of Australia. Cross‐sectional data were collected from 266 parents. Time spent using electronic media (watching television, DVDs or on the computer) and in physical activity were parent reported. The proportion who met each guideline was calculated. 56 per cent and 79% of children met the NASPE guideline on weekdays and weekends, respectively, while 73% and 70% met the AAP recommendation on weekdays and weekends, with no difference between boys and girls. A substantial minority do not meet physical activity and electronic media use recommendations, highlighting the need to better understand what factors contribute to physical activity and electronic media use among this group of pre‐schoolers.
Machine learning algorithms for activity recognition in ambulant children and adolescents with cerebral palsy
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-11-2018
Effects of Child Care Policy and Environment on Physical Activity
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 03-2010
A Youth Compendium of Physical Activities: Activity Codes and Metabolic Intensities
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 02-2018
Physical Activity Recognition Using Posterior-Adapted Class-Based Fusion of Multiaccelerometer Data
Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Date: 05-2018
Intervening to reduce workplace sitting time: how and when do changes to sitting time occur?
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 09-05-2014
DOI: 10.1136/BJSPORTS-2014-093524
Abstract: To investigate how and when changes in workplace sitting time occurred following a workplace intervention to inform evaluation of intervention success. The 4-week Stand Up Comcare study (June-September 2011) aimed to reduce workplace sitting time via regularly interrupting and replacing sitting time throughout the day. Activity monitor (activPAL3) workplace data from control (n=22) and intervention participants (n=21) were analysed. Differences in the number and usual duration of sitting bouts were used to evaluate how change occurred. To examine when change occurred, intervention effects were compared by hour since starting work and hour of the workday. Change in workplace activity (sitting, standing, stepping) was examined to further inform alignment with intervention messages. In idual variability was examined in how and when the change occurred. Overall, behavioural changes aligned with intervention aims. All intervention participants reduced total workplace sitting time, though there was wide in idual variability observed (range -29 to -262 min per 8 h workday). On average, intervention participants reduced number of sitting bouts (-4.6 bouts (95% CI -10.1 to 1.0), p=0.106) and usual sitting bout duration (-5.6 min (95% CI -9.8 to -1.4, p=0.011)) relative to controls. Sitting time reductions were observed across the workday, though intervention effects varied by hour of the day (p=0.015). The intervention group successfully adopted the Stand Up and Sit Less intervention messages across the day. These analyses confirmed that this workplace intervention successfully modified sitting behaviour as intended (ie, fewer and shorter sitting bouts, with changes occurring throughout the day).
A Nutrition and Physical Activity Intervention for Family Child Care Homes
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.AMEPRE.2011.06.030
Abstract: Family child care homes (FCCHs) provide child care to 1.9 million children in the U.S., but many do not meet established child care standards for healthy eating and physical activity. To determine the effects of a community-based train-the-trainer intervention on FCCHs policies and practices related to healthy eating and physical activity. Quasi-experimental design with replication in three independent cohorts of FCCHs. Registered FCCHs from 15 counties across Kansas participated in the Healthy Kansas Kids (HKK) program. Resource and referral agencies (RRAs) in each county recruited and enrolled between five and 15 child care providers in their service delivery area to participate in the program. The number of registered FCCHs participating in HKK in Years 1 (2006-2007) 2 (2007-2008) and 3 (2008-2009) of the program were 85, 64, and 87, respectively. A stratified random s le of registered FCCHs operating in Kansas (n=297) served as a normative comparison group. Child care trainers from each RRA completed a series of train-the-trainer workshops related to promotion of healthy eating and physical activity. FCCHs were subsequently guided through a four-step iterative process consisting of (1) self-evaluation (2) goal setting (3) developing an action plan and (4) evaluating progress toward meeting goals. FCCHs also received U.S. Department of Agriculture resources related to healthy eating and physical activity. Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) self-assessment instrument (NAP SACC-SA). Analyses of outcome measures were conducted between 2008 and 2010. Healthy Kansas Kids FCCHs exhibited significant improvements in healthy eating (Δ=6.9%-7.1%) and physical activity (Δ=15.4%-19.2%) scores (p<0.05). Within each cohort, pre-intervention scores were not significantly different from the state average, whereas post-intervention scores were significantly higher than the state average. Community-based train-the-trainer interventions to promote healthy eating and physical activity in FCCHs are feasible, sustainable, and effective.
Identification and Validity of Accelerometer Cut‐Points for Toddlers
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-2012
DOI: 10.1038/OBY.2011.364
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to derive ActiGraph cut-points for sedentary (SED), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in toddlers and evaluate their validity in an independent s le. The predictive validity of established preschool cut-points were also evaluated and compared. Twenty-two toddlers (mean age = 2.1 years ± 0.4 years) wore an ActiGraph accelerometer during a videotaped 20-min play period. Videos were subsequently coded for physical activity (PA) intensity using the modified Children's Activity Rating Scale (CARS). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to determine cut-points. Predictive validity was assessed in an independent s le of 18 toddlers (mean age = 2.3 ± 0.4 years). From the ROC curve analyses, the 15-s count ranges corresponding to SED, LPA, and MVPA were 0-48, 49-418, and >418 counts/15 s, respectively. Classification accuracy was fair for the SED threshold (ROC-AUC = 0.74, 95% confidence interval = 0.71-0.76) and excellent for MVPA threshold (ROC-AUC = 0.90, 95% confidence interval = 0.88-0.92). In the cross-validation s le, the toddler cut-point and established preschool cut-points significantly overestimated time spent in SED and underestimated time in spent in LPA. For MVPA, mean differences between observed and predicted values for the toddler and Pate cut-points were not significantly different from zero. In summary, the ActiGraph accelerometer can provide useful group-level estimates of MVPA in toddlers. The results support the use of the Pate cut-point of 420 counts/15 s for MVPA.
Machine learning to quantify physical activity in children with cerebral palsy
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 17-07-2020
DOI: 10.3390/S20143976
Abstract: Pattern recognition methodologies, such as those utilizing machine learning (ML) approaches, have the potential to improve the accuracy and versatility of accelerometer-based assessments of physical activity (PA). Children with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit significant heterogeneity in relation to impairment and activity limitations however, studies conducted to date have implemented “one-size fits all” group (G) models. Group-personalized (GP) models specific to the Gross Motor Function Classification (GMFCS) level and fully-personalized (FP) models trained on in idual data may provide more accurate assessments of PA however, these approaches have not been investigated in children with CP. In this study, 38 children classified at GMFCS I to III completed laboratory trials and a simulated free-living protocol while wearing an ActiGraph GT3X+ on the wrist, hip, and ankle. Activities were classified as sedentary, standing utilitarian movements, or walking. In the cross-validation, FP random forest classifiers (99.0–99.3%) exhibited a significantly higher accuracy than G (80.9–94.7%) and GP classifiers (78.7–94.1%), with the largest differential observed in children at GMFCS III. When evaluated under free-living conditions, all model types exhibited significant declines in accuracy, with FP models outperforming G and GP models in GMFCS levels I and II, but not III. Future studies should evaluate the comparative accuracy of personalized models trained on free-living accelerometer data.
Assessing Physical Activity During Youth Sport: The Observational System for Recording Activity in Children: Youth Sports
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date: 05-2014
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and interrater reliability of the Observational System for Recording Activity in Children: Youth Sports (OSRAC:YS). Children ( N = 29) participating in a parks and recreation soccer program were observed during regularly scheduled practices. Physical activity (PA) intensity and contextual factors were recorded by momentary time-s ling procedures (10-second observe, 20-second record). Two observers simultaneously observed and recorded children’s PA intensity, practice context, social context, coach behavior, and coach proximity. Interrater reliability was based on agreement (Kappa) between the observer’s coding for each category, and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) for percent of time spent in MVPA. Validity was assessed by calculating the correlation between OSRAC:YS estimated and objectively measured MVPA. Kappa statistics for each category demonstrated substantial to almost perfect interobserver agreement (Kappa = 0.67−0.93). The ICC for percent time in MVPA was 0.76 (95% C.I. = 0.49−0.90). A significant correlation ( r = .73) was observed for MVPA recorded by observation and MVPA measured via accelerometry. The results indicate the OSRAC:YS is a reliable and valid tool for measuring children’s PA and contextual factors during a youth soccer practice.
Physical Activity Levels among Children Attending After-School Programs
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 04-2008
Effectiveness of a novel digital application to promote fundamental movement skills in 3- to 6-year-old children: A randomized controlled trial
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 27-09-2021
Mediators of physical activity behavior change among women with young children
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2002
DOI: 10.1016/S0749-3797(02)00484-1
Abstract: Women with children are less likely to engage in adequate physical activity (PA) than women without children. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two strategies for promoting increased PA among mothers of preschool-aged children, and to explore the mediators of any resulting change in PA behavior. Controlled intervention trial incorporating repeated data collection from 554 women, randomized to one of three experimental conditions. Intervention Group 1 served as a control, while women in Groups 2 and 3 were given print information about overcoming PA barriers. Women in Group 3 were also invited to discuss the development of local strategies for the promotion of PA among mothers of young children. The primary strategies included increasing partner support, social advocacy, and capacity building, and were implemented through collaboration among participants, researchers, and community organizations. Adequate physical activity (PA), self-efficacy (SE) and partner support (PS). Following the intervention, women in Group 3 were significantly more likely to meet guidelines for PA than controls (odds ratio [OR]=1.71, confidence interval [CI]=1.05-2.77)] after controlling for age and PA at baseline. After controlling for baseline PA, residualized change in SE (OR=1.86, CI=1.17-2.94) and PS (OR=2.29, CI=1.46-3.58) significantly predicted meeting guidelines. After controlling for residual change in PS and SE, the significant intervention effect was attenuated (Group 3 OR=1.40, CI=0.76-2.36), indicating that partner support and self-efficacy may be mediators of physical activity behavior change. The findings indicate that community participation approaches that facilitate increased self-efficacy and partner support can be effective in increasing PA among mothers of young children.
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