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European Physical Education Review, Vol. 13, No. 3, 287-299 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1356336X07081795

Accelerometer cut-points and youth physical activity prevalence

Jorge Mota

University of Porto, Portugal, jmota{at}fade.up.pt

Mónica Valente

University of Porto, Portugal

Luísa Aires

University of Porto, Portugal

Pedro Silva

University of Porto, Portugal

Maria Paula Santos

University of Porto, Portugal

José Carlos Ribeiro

University of Porto, Portugal

The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to examine the effects of specific cut-off 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 cut-off points still need to be refined and, as a result, health-related criteria for young people need to be based on further research evidence.

Key Words: accelerometer • health-related criteria • physical activity • youth


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