Accelerometer cut-points and youth physical activity prevalence

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

mota, j (Author) FADEUP; Valente, M (Author) Other; Aires, L (Author) Other; Silva, P (Author) Other; santos, mp (Author) FADEUP; ribeiro, jc (Author) FADEUP

Journal

Title: European Physical Education Review

Vol. 13

Pages: 287-299

ISSN: 1356-336X

Publisher: SAGE

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 13 Citations

Scopus - 21 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-71E

DOI: 10.1177/1356336x07081795

Abstract (EN): The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to examine the effects of specific cutoff scoring points (on the estimated prevalence of meeting health-related guidelines for physical activity in youth) and, second, to document the differences in gender physical activity patterns according to two different cut-off points. The sample comprised 62 children (boys n = 23; girls n = 39) aged 8-16 years old. Children wore accelerometers for three consecutive weekdays. The daily time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was calculated using an equation regression developed for youth according to different cut-points. The data analysis from Freedson's cut points showed that both sexes engaged in significantly (p <=.01) more MVPA when compared with Puyau's cut points. Boys engaged in significantly (p <=.01) more MVPA activities than girls regardless of the cut-off point used. Our data also showed that the percentage of students that reach the physical activity/health related guidelines was significantly higher in both boys (77.3 vs 6.9 percent; p<.001) and girls (60 vs 2.3 percent; p<.001) when Freedson's cut-off point was used. Our data showed that for preventive strategies youth specific cutoff points still need to be refined and, as a result, health-related criteria for young people need to be based on further research evidence.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13