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Assessment of Childrenís and Adolescentsí Physical Activity Levels

Paula Santos

JosÈ C. Ribeiro

JosÈ A. Duarte

Jorge Mota

University of Porto, Portugaljmota{at}fcdef.up.pt

James F. Sallis

San Diego State University, USA

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 for the present study comprised 157 children (boys n= 64 and girls n= 93), aged 8 to 16 years old. Based on activities’ intensity (MET), the daily time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was calculated using an equation regression developed for adults. In addition, based on the same procedures (MET)data were analysed using the cut-off points (ranging between 614 counts. min- 1 at 6 years old to 1880 counts. min-1 for 16 years old) specially developed for children. The data analysis from youth’s cut-off points reveal that both sexes engaged in significantly (p= 0.01) more MVPA when compared with cut-off points designed for adults. Boys engaged in significantly (p= 0.01) more MVPA activities than girls regardless of the CSA cut-off point used. Our data also showed that, except for boys aged 14–16 years old, the percentage of students that reach the physical activity health-related criteria (at least 60 minutes of MVPA/day) was significantly higher in both boys (77.3% vs 93.9%; p< 0.05) andgirls (50% vs 79.3%; p< 0.01) when the youth’s cut-off point was used. The youth-specific cut-off points used could be an important improvement in studies that develop prescription guidelines for children and adolescents. This still needs to be refined, and as a result healthrelated criteria for young people need to be based on further research evidence.

Key Words: accelerometer • children • gender • physical activity

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