Validity of the New Lifestyles NL-1000 Accelerometer for Measuring Time Spent in Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in School Settings

Current interest in promoting physical activity in the school environment necessitates an inexpensive, accurate method of measuring physical activity in such settings. Additionally, it is recognized that physical activity must be of at least moderate intensity in order to yield substantial health benefits. The purpose of the study, therefore, was to determine the validity of the New Lifestyles NL-1000 (New Lifestyles, Inc., Lee's Summit, Missouri, USA) accelerometer for measuring moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in school settings, using the Actigraph GT1M (ActiGraph, Pensacola, Florida, USA) as the criterion. Data were collected during a cross-country run (n = 12), physical education (n = 18), and classroom-based physical activities (n = 42). Significant and meaningful intraclass correlations between methods were found, and NL-1000 estimates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were not meaningfully different from GT1M-estimated moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The NL-1000 therefore shows promising validity evidence as an inexpensive, convenient method of measuring moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in school settings.     

Perceived environment in relation to objective and self-reported physical activity in Spanish youth. The UP&DOWN study

The aims of the present study were to assess the association of environmental perception with objective and self-reported physical activity (PA) and the relation between environmental perception and meeting PA recommendations on children and adolescents. A sample of 1520 youth (770 boys) aged 8–18 years (12.1 ± 2.5 years) from the UP&;DOWN study were included in the data analyses. Environmental perception was assessed with the short adapted version of the ALPHA environmental questionnaire. PA was objectively (accelerometers) and self-reported measured (PA Questionnaire for Children, Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise Questionnaire and Finnish PA Index). Linear regression models were used to assess the association of environmental perception with PA. Bivariate logistic regression models were used to assess differences between environmental perception and meeting PA recommendations. Environmental perception was positively associated with both objective and self-reported PA. Some differences were found in the association of environmental perception and PA between sex- and age-specific groups. Youth who perceived a more favourable environment were more likely to meet PA recommendations (at least 60 min · day^?1 of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA)). Results suggest that environmental perceptions of children and adolescents may play an important role in achieving higher levels of PA.     

Classification of Physical Activity Cut-Points and the Estimation of Energy Expenditure During Walking Using the GT3X+ Accelerometer in Overweight and Obese Adults

This study establishes tri-axial activity count (AC) cut-points for the GT3X+ accelerometer to classify physical activity intensity in overweight and obese adults. Further, we examined the accuracy of established and novel energy expenditure (EE) prediction equations based on AC and other metrics. Part 1: Twenty overweight or obese adults completed a 30 minute incremental treadmill walking protocol. Heart rate (HR), EE, and AC were measured using the GT3X+ accelerometer. Part 2: Ten overweight and obese adults conducted a self-paced external walk during which EE, AC, and HR were measured. Established equations (Freedson et al., 1998; Sasaki et al., 2011) overestimated EE by 40% and 31%, respectively (p < .01). Novel gender-specific prediction equations provided good estimates of EE during treadmill and outdoor walking (standard error of the estimate = .91 and .65, respectively). We propose new cut-points and prediction equations to estimate EE using the GT3X+ tri-axial accelerometer in overweight and obese adults.     

Correlates of Physical Activity Behavior in Rural Youth

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify correlates of physical activity behavior in a sample 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.     

Comparing the Validity and Output of the GT1M and GT3X Accelerometer in 5- to 9-Year-Old Children

The purpose of this study was to compare the validity and output of the biaxial ActiGraph GT1M and the triaxial GT3X (ActiGraph, LLC, Pensacola, FL, USA) accelerometer in 5- to 9-year-old children. Thirty-two children wore the two monitors while their energy expenditure was measured with indirect calorimetry. They performed four locomotor and four play activities in an exercise laboratory and were further measured during 12 minutes of a sports lesson. Validity evidence in relation to indirect calorimetry was examined with linear regression equations applied to the laboratory data. During the sports lessons predicted energy expenditure according to the regression equations was compared to measured energy expenditure with the Wilcoxon-signed rank test and the Spearman correlation. To compare the output, agreement between counts of the two monitors during the laboratory activities was assessed with Bland-Altman plots. The evidence of validity was similar for both monitors. Agreement between the output of the two monitors was good for vertical counts (mean bias =??14 ± 22 counts) but not for horizontal counts (?17 ± 32 counts). The current results indicate that the two accelerometer models are able to estimate energy expenditure of a range of physical activities equally well in young children. However, they show output differences for movement in the horizontal direction.     

Individual calibration of accelerometers in children and their health-related implications

This study compared children’s physical activity (PA) levels, the prevalence of children meeting current guidelines of ≥60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), and PA-health associations using individually calibrated (IC) and empirical accelerometer cutpoints. Data from 75 (n = 32 boys) 10–12 year old children were included in this study. Clustered cardiometabolic (CM) risk, directly measured cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), anthropometric and 7 day accelerometer data were included within analysis. PA data were classified using Froude anchored IC, Evenson et al. (Evenson, K. R., Catellier, D. J., Gill, K., Ondrak, K. S., &; McMurray, R. G. (2008). Calibration of two objective measures of physical activity for children. Journal of Sports Sciences, 26(14), 1557–1565. doi:10.1080/02640410802334196) (Ev) and Mackintosh et al. (Mackintosh, K. A., Fairclough, S. J., Stratton, G., &; Ridgers, N. D. (2012). A calibration protocol for population-specific accelerometer cutpoints in children. PLoS One, 7(5), e36919. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036919) (Mack) cutpoints. The proportion of the cohort meeting ≥60mins MVPA/day ranged from 37%-56% depending on the cutpoints used. Reported PA differed significantly across the cutpoint sets. IC LPA and MPA were predictors of CRF (LPA: standardised β = 0.32, p = 0.002, MPA: standardised β = 0.27 p = 0.013). IC MPA also predicted BMI Z-score (standardised β = ?0.35, p = 0.004). Ev VPA was a predictor of BMI Z-score (standardised β = ?0.33, p = 0.012). Cutpoint choice has a substantial impact on reported PA levels though no significant associations with CM risk were observed. Froude IC cutpoints represent a promising approach towards classifying children’s PA data.     

基于加速度传感器的学龄前儿童体力活动簇集特征研究

目的以客观测量的体力活动水平为基础,分析不同持续时间活动的频率及其占总活动时间的比例,从而掌握学龄前儿童体力活动簇集特征。方法根据知情、自愿原则,在上海市杨浦和宝山2个区共招募306名学龄前儿童为受试者,通过连续7 d佩戴加速度传感器ActiGraph GT3X+测量其日常体力活动水平,在此基础上将每次体力活动按强度和持续时间进行分类,并统计不同持续时间的活动平均每天出现的频率及其占总累积活动的比例。结果共有146名受试者[男85名,女61名;平均月龄为(57.7±5.0)月]7 d测量数据均有效,被纳入最终统计分析。发现采样间隔为1 s时,学龄前儿童平均每次体力活动持续时间≤4 s,且70%以上的中等强度和大强度体力活动持续时间为2~3 s。结论学龄前儿童体力活动以持续时间较短的零星活动为主。为准确测量学龄前儿童体力活动,特别是中到大强度体力活动水平,宜采用较短的加速度传感器采样间隔(如3 s或更短时间)。     

上海市青少年休闲体力活动调查分析——基于加速度器测量

为调查上海市青少年休闲体力活动的参与情况及性别和校别差异,采用仪器测量法对上海市青少年的休闲体力活动进行调查。结果显示上海市青少年平均每天的休闲体力活动时间明显不足。男女生休闲体力活动时间存在显著性差异,男生休闲体力活动时间明显高于女生;中小学休闲体力活动时间存在显著性差异,小学生的休闲体力活动时间比中学生长;不同等级家庭社会经济地位的青少年休闲体力活动的时间没有显著性差异。青少年休闲体力活动促进需要学校和家庭的共同参与,学校要适当减轻学生的课业负担,父母亲也不要给孩子额外的学习压力。     

加速度计在儿童体力活动测量中的应用

加速度计是一种客观测量体力活动的工具,因其小巧轻便且不受受试者回忆准确性和认知水平的限制,近年来在儿童体力活动测量中得到广泛应用。然而到目前为止,较少有研究关注加速度计使用方法的标准化,如加速度计的选择、采样间隔、佩戴部位、佩戴时间的确定、数据处理等。针对儿童体力活动的特点,就上述问题做一综述,以期提供一些在加速度计使用中的实用性参考。     

A Comparison of Self-Report Scales and Accelerometer-Determined Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Scores of Finnish School Students

The current article provides an important insight into measurement differences between two commonly used self-reports and accelerometer-determined moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) scores within matched samples across 1 school year. Participants were 998 fifth- through eighth-grade students who completed self-reports and 76 fifth- and sixth-grade children with accelerometers. The Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) Research Protocol showed the higher frequency of days exceeding 60 minutes of MVPA than the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Larger proportions of children achieved the MVPA guidelines based on HBSC results (girls 16%, boys 29%), than IPAQ-SF (girls 5%, boys 11%), or accelerometers data (girls 0%, boys 0%). MVPA remained stable over 12 months on the basis of both self-report and accelerometer results. Both self-report scales presented should be used with discretion in population studies, whereas accelerometer-determined data can be more authentic when personal guidance is required.     

Validity and Reliability of the 3-Day Physical Activity Recall in Singaporean Adolescents

This study aimed at determining the amount of Italian television coverage dedicated to men's and women's sport and the number of male and female viewers during the 2004 Summer Olympic Games. AUDITEL-AGB Nielsen Media Research Italia provided the TV airtime data for the sport events broadcast, which were classified into three categories: men-only, women-only, and mixed-gender. The viewer sample was divided by age and gender and included three audience parameters: mean audience, share, and appreciation index. The last item is calculated from the program duration, audience permanence, and the share related to programs broadcast by other Italian channels. In particular, the appreciation index was used to investigate the relationship between (a) the viewer's and sport participants' gender and (b) the effect of Italian participation and expectations for sport achievement. The data showed that Italian male athletes outnumbered their female counterparts. Women's sport was allotted significantly less airtime than men's sport, but this imbalance was not proportional to the gender difference in the overall athletes' participation in the Games. Although the female audience represented 45% of the total, a significantly higher male mean audience and share were found. On the other hand, the appreciation of men's and women's sport events was balanced after equating for differences in media coverage. Moreover, sport achievement might have a positive effect on the trend toward equality of gender coverage, indicating that a global multisport event such as the Olympic Games is central to communicating a national image and identity independently of the athletes' gender.     

体力活动与青少年健康

通过分析大量的观察和实验研究结果,本文综述了体力活动对儿童青少年身体健康的影响。结果表明：儿童青少年的体力活动水平越高．其心肺功能、代谢功能、肌肉力量、骨骼以及心理等方面的健康水平也越高．但具体的运动类型、运动强度和持续时间等因素应根据运动目的的不同而异.     

武汉市城镇20-59岁人群体育锻炼情况的调查分析

通过分析武汉市城镇20-59岁人群的体育锻炼情况,采用比较武汉市与湖北省其他城市成年人群相关数据的方法,进一步探讨了武汉市城镇人群体质与生活方式的特点。     

青少年体育活动乐趣量表(PACES)中文版修订与信效度检验

目的:检验体育活动乐趣量表(PACES)对国内青少年的适用性,为制定适合国内青少年的体育活动乐趣量表提供参考。方法:采用整群随机抽样,抽取吉林省某县实验小学和沈阳市某区铁路第五小学4~6年级838名学生,进行PACES和主观锻炼体验量表(SEES)调查。结果:PACES中文修订版共13个条目,探索性因素分析提取了积极和消极2个因子;验证性因素分析验证了量表二维结构的有效性(χ²=138.1,df=66,χ²/df=2.09,P<0.01;GFI=0.896,CFI=0.957,NFI=0.927,IFI=0.957,RMSE=0.064)。PACES与SEES中的积极幸福感维度呈显著正相关(r=0.580,P<0.01),心理烦恼(r=-0.623,P<0.01)和疲劳维度(r=-0.546,P<0.01)呈显著负相关。总量表及正负2个维度的内部一致性α系数分别为0.858、0.834、0.871;间隔4周后量表重测信度分别为0.887、0897、0.854。结论:PACES中文修订版在国内青少年群体中具有良好的信效度,可以用来测量国内青少年体育活动乐趣水平。     

青少年身体活动促进模型:理论架构、实践应用与展望

在全球儿童青少年身体活动不足的背景下，对青少年身体活动促进模型（YPAP模型）进行系统梳理与分析，对于我国儿童青少年身体活动促进研究具有重要借鉴意义。研究深入解读了YPAP模型的产生、构架及特点，厘清了模型的内在机制与不足，发现YPAP模型靶向精准、内容关键、结构简单，但涉及因素与深层机制仍有待丰富完善。系统梳理了YPAP模型的国内外实践应用，发现与国外相比我国模型的发展性验证及综合干预方面存在较大差距，并据此从理论、思想、实施3个层面对未来我国儿童青少年身体活动促进研究提出展望。建议根据我国实际情况，进一步加强YPAP模型的本土化研究及推广应用，并积极转变思想教育观念，在全社会联动、多层次环境因素的共同作用下，提高儿童青少年身体活动水平。     

Pedometer-Determined Physical Activity and Its Comparison With the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in a Sample of Belgian Adults

Pedometer-determined physical activity (PA) levels in Belgian adults were provided and compared to PA scores reported in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The representative sample (N = 1,239) of the Belgian population took on average 9,655 (4,526) steps/day. According to pedometer indices 58.4% were insufficiently active. Steps/day differed significantly between gender (F = 5.0, p = .026), age groups (F = 3.3, p = .01), employment status (F = 6.2, p = .013), and days of monitoring (F = 7.4, p = .007). Steps/day were negatively correlated to the time spent sitting and positively to PA at work, in transport, and in leisure time (p < .001). Steps data can discriminate between PA levels reported in the IPAQ. Belgian population pedometer-determined PA levels are higher than those reported in samples of the United States; however, there is a wide distribution of ambulatory behavior.     

The Validity of the Tritrac-R3D Activity Monitor for the Assessment of Physical Activity in Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Tritrac-R3D Activity Monitor, a new instrument designed to improve assessments of physical activity. Comparisons were made with a heart rate monitor and with a Caltrac Activity Monitor. Thirty-five children (ages 9–11 years) were monitored on 3 different school days with all 3 instruments. The Tritrac was moderately correlated with the heart rate monitor (r =.58) and highly correlated with the Caltrac monitor (r =.88). By taking advantage of the minute-by-minute timing capability of the Tritrac and the heart rate monitors, it was discovered, that the correlations between these instruments were highest during free play situations (lunch/recess, recess, after school) and were lower when activity was more limited (class time) or structured (physical education). The ability of the Tritrac to assess activity on a minute-by-minute basis may greatly enhance its overall utility.     

Impact of the choice of threshold on physical activity patterns in free living conditions among adolescents measured using a uniaxial accelerometer: The HELENA study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the choice of threshold on physical activity patterns measured in adolescents under free living conditions (FLC) using a uniaxial accelerometer. The study comprised 2043 adolescents (12.5–17.5 years) participating in the HELENA Study. Participants wore a uniaxial accelerometer for 7 days. The PA patterns were assessed using thresholds determined from six different studies. For each of the thresholds used, the number of adolescents fulfilling the recommendation of 60 min of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) per day was also calculated. A significant difference was found between thresholds regardless of the activity level: differences of 38%, 207%, 136%, and 2780% for sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous intensity PA, respectively (P < 0.001). Time of MVPA varied between methods from 25.3 to 55.2 min · day^–1. The number of adolescents fulfilling the recommendation varied from 5.9% to 37% according to the thresholds used. The kappa coefficient for concordance in the assessment of the number of adolescents achieving the PA recommendations was generally low. The definition of the threshold for PA intensity may considerably affect the PA patterns in FLC when assessed using a uniaxial accelerometer and the number of participants fulfilling the recommendations.     

浙江省青少年不同体育活动状况对心理健康因子影响的调查研究

应用《身心症状自评量表(SCL-90)》及自编《参与体育活动状况调查表》,在浙江省10个地区随机抽取2 000名青少年进行问卷调查,并对他们参与体育活动状况与心理健康10因子的情况加以分析,结果表明:浙江省青少年SCL-90因子分均略高于国内常模;青少年参加体育活动的意愿、参与次数、参加活动项目及形式对SCL-90量表中的因子有不同程度影响。     

Comparison of physical activity estimates using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and accelerometry in fibromyalgia patients: The Al-Andalus study

Abstract

The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) has been widely used to assess physical activity in healthy populations. The present study compared physical activity assessed by the long, self-administrated version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire with physical activity assessed by accelerometry in patients with fibromyalgia. A total of 99 (five men) participants with fibromyalgia completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and wore an accelerometer for nine consecutive days. We analysed the correlations of physical activity expressed as min · day^?1 of light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate to vigorous (MVPA) intensity, as well as time spent sitting, by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and accelerometry by Spearman correlations. Bland and Altman plots were performed to verify the agreements between both instruments. The results showed weak yet significant correlations (Rs = 0.15–0.39, all P < 0.05) in all physical activity intensities between the two instruments, except for sedentary time. The highest correlations were observed for physical activity at home or in garden (Rs = 0.297, P < 0.01). The results suggest that the long self-administrated International Physical Activity Questionnaire is a questionable instrument to assess physical activity in patients with fibromyalgia. Therefore, physical activity measurement in fibromyalgia patients should not be limited solely to self-reported measures.