1. Measuring and Assessing Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour

2. What you need to know: Key Knowledge Key Skills
Know and Understand what the subjective and objective methods of assessing physical activity are and what sedentary behaviour is.
Methods that you must know:
Recall surveys or diaries
Pedometry
Accelerometry
Observational tools
Understand how these can be used to assess the if an individual is meeting the National Physical Activity Guidelines
Compare and contrast subjective and objective methods of assessing sedentary behaviour and physical activity compliance with the National Physical Activity Guidelines
Collect, measure and evaluate data using subjective and objective methods of assessing physical activity and sedentary behaviour

3. Benefits of physical activity
Being active is good for you in so many ways. It provides enjoyable experiences, makes you feel good and improve your health.
Social benefits – improves; social skills, self esteem, confidence, family and community links & reduces isolation/loneliness.
Physical and mental benefits – Improves; quality of life, weight control, sleep, motor skills, concentration, memory & learning.
Environmental benefits – reduces; traffic congestion, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions & noise pollution.
Economic benefits – creates employment, reduces absenteeism, increased health savings & supports local businesses.
Health benefits – reduces; risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, colon cancer, depression. Maintains healthy body weight, healthy bones, muscles & joints.

4. How does Physical Activity benefit you??
Think of the Physical Activity that you currently participate in.
How do you benefit from participating in Physical Activity?
Why do you continue to participate?

5. Measuring Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour
When measuring Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour among individuals and populations you will be exploring the measurement of different dimensions of physical activity and the use of several subjective and objective measures.
Dimensions:
Frequency
Intensity
Duration
Type

6. Think, Discuss & Share
Why is it important to measure Physical Activity levels?
What differences exist between measuring Physical Activity at a;
Population Level
Individual Level
What does it mean to be sedentary?

7. What does it mean to be sedentary / physically active?
Physical Activity
Sedentary Behaviour
Is defined as any movement of the body produced by skeletal muscles and that results in energy expenditure
Associated with low levels of energy expenditure, sitting for long periods of time & not moving around

8. Reasons to assess Physical Activity
Identify issues and concerns with health and fitness
Identify at risk groups
Identify and understand current trends
Monitor physical activity
Plan appropriate interventions for promoting physical activity
Evaluate success of interventions

9. Australia’s Physical Activity Guidelines and Sedantary Behaviours (NEW CONTENT)

10. Guidelines for early childhood 0 – 5yrs
These recommendations are for children who haven’t started school yet
Birth to 1 year: supervised floor based play in safe environments should be encouraged from birth
Type (T): Before infants begin to crawl PA should include; reaching, grasping, pulling, pushing & tummy time, play music to encourage playful movements, encourage movement and play during bath time
1 to 5 years: should be physically active every day (F) for at least 3 hours a day spread throughout the day (D).
Type (T): Active play: play with different sized and shaped balls/balloons, play games: hide and seek, follow the leader, move to music: ‘ring-a-rosie’ & ‘heads, shoulders, knees and toes’
Benefits: maintain weight, build strong bones & muscles, improve balance & co-ordination, brain development, encourage self confidence

11. Sedentary Guidelines for early childhood 0 – 5yrs
Regardless of how active kids may be at other times, it is still important to limit screen time
Children less than 2 years: should not spend any time watching TV or using other electronic media
2-5 year olds: sitting, watching TV and the use of electronic media should be limited to less than one hour a day
Infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers should not be sedentary, retrained or kept inactive for more than one hour at a time, with the exception of sleeping

12. Guidelines for early childhood 5 – 12yrs
At least 60 minutes (D) a day (F) – in many different ways
(can be accumulated throughout the day).
To achieve additional benefits, children should engage in more activity - up to several hours a day
Moderate to Vigorous intensity (I)
Moderate: fast walking, bike riding
Vigorous: huff and puff, running, chasing,
Variety of activities (T) – doesn’t just have to be participation in sport. It is important to include muscle and bone strengthening activities at least 3 days of the week.
Sedentary Guidelines: No more than 2 hours a day spent on using electronic media for entertainment
Benefits: fun with friends, develops co-operation & team work, Improves self –esteem & concentration, reduces weight related health risks, promotes healthy growth and development

13. Guidelines for early childhood 13 – 17yrs
At least 60 minutes (D) of moderate to vigorous (I) physical activity every day (F).
Greater amounts (up to 3 hours) benefit you even more.
At least 3 days of the week should include strengthening and weight activities.
Type (T): body weight exercises, aerobic activities, team sports
No more than 2 hours of electronic media and break up long periods of sitting down
Benefits: helps to achieve better at school, improves self-esteem & confidence, Improves concentration, reduces the risk of weight related conditions

14. Guidelines for early childhood 18 – 64yrs
Think of movement as an opportunity not an inconvenience
Be active on most, preferably all, days of the week.
Each week: 150 mins of moderate intensity OR 75 mins of vigorous intensity physical activity
Increasing to: 300 mins of moderate intensity OR 50 mins of vigorous intensity physical activity
10 minutes of vigorous intensity activity is equal to 20 minutes of moderate activity
Also enjoy some regular vigorous activity for extra health & fitness benefits
Do muscle strengthening activities on at least 2 days each week
Benefits: Reduced risk of CV disease, maintain
blood pressure, increased rehabilitation, reduced
risk of some cancers, promotes physical and mental
wellbeing

15. Older Adults 65+ years
Older people should do some form of physical activity, no matter their age, weight or health problems
Older people should be active every day in as many ways as possible, doing a range of physical activities that incorporate fitness, strength, balance and flexibility
Should accumulate at least 30mins of moderate intensity physical activity on most, preferably all days
Activity should be start at a level that is easily manageable and gradually build up the recommended amount, type and frequency
Older people who continue to enjoy a lifetime of vigorous PA should carry on doing so in a manner suited to their capability

16. Overweight or obese children & youth
Participate in more physical activity than currently being engaged in
Should be prescribed for prevention of obesity in children and youth
Prescription should be based on age appropriate activity

17. Overweight or obese adults
Engage in 60 minutes of physical activity every day
Once weight is lost, minutes of activity per day to avoid weight regain.

18. Sedentary Behaviour
Sedentary means staying in the same place for much of the time and expending low amounts of energy.
In the table below Alli, Matt & Zowie are all 17 years old. Do they all meet the NPAG’s?
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Alli
110 30 20
120 50 70
240
Matt 62 60 65 90
Zowie
150 35 75

19. Complete the following questions…..
NPAG’s for children exist for both physical activity and sedentary behaviour. It is recommended children aged 5-13 years engage in no more than 2 hours a day using electronic media for entertainment particularly during daylight hours.
Outline the sedentary behaviour recommendation for children aged under 2 years of age?
(1 mark)   
Jack is a highly active 14 year old does this mean he must spend little time engaged in sedentary behaviours such as using the internet or watching DVDs? Explain your response.
(3 marks)
Total 5 marks

20. TASK Make summary cards for each age group You must include:
Physical Activity and Sedantary guidelines will be referred to a lot throughout the year. You need to have an in depth understanding of the dimensions for each of the age groups.
Make summary cards for each age group
You must include:
Frequency
Intensity
Duration
Type
Sedentary Guidelines

21. Methods of assessing physical activity

22. Measuring Intensity Metabolic Equivalent (MET) levels
Is a comparison between an average person’s metabolic rate while at rest and their metabolic rate while engaging in activity
METABOLIC RATE – The amount of energy expended at rest or during activity.
The MET value is based on the amount of oxygen consumed.
A MET value is an estimation
Dependent on an individual’s age and gender

23. Intensity MET’s Energy Expended (kJ/min) % max HR Eg’s
Low
< 3
<15
<50
Walking slowly, golf, gardening, household chores
Moderate
3 – 6
50 – 70
Bike riding, playing tennis, dancing, weight lifting
Vigorous 7+
70+
Skipping, running, boxing, playing squash
Familiarise yourself with Table 1.6 page 11 of your textbook.

24. Subjective v’s Objective
Depend on our own perceptions
Used to measure PA predominantly used for populations
Include Diaries or logs and Recall Instruments
Rely on solid data or observations
Predominantly used for measurement in individuals
Devices are HR monitors, Pedometers, Accelerometers & Direct Observation

25. Self and Proxy Report Measures
Most commonly used
Include:
Self administered recalls
Interviewer administered recalls
Questionnaires
Diaries or Logs
Proxy report measures are used when a person reports on behalf of someone else (eg. parents of small children)

26. DIARIES:
Detailed record of individual PA undertaken in a given day, as the activities are completed or soon after
Used for short time frames, therefore not a true representation of an individual’s long term PA pattern
Diaries require extensive effort by the person completing them
The person may change their PA while they are completing them
Able to assess PA across multiple domains - leisure, household, transport, occupation

27. LOGS:
Record the time participants spend in broad categories of activity (eg. Sitting, standing, walking)
Provide detail about type, intensity and pattern of activity
Requires effort from the participant to complete the log
Can easily influence the participants behaviour
Good to record specific information

28. Recall Instruments RECALL SURVEY:
Requires the respondent to remember what PA they engaged in the previous day, week, month or year.
Less likely to influence behaviour and require less effort.
Made up of simple questions of 5-15 items
The questions investigate the PA patterns
Provide basic information for a large population group.

29. Advantages
Disadvantages
Inexpensive
Easy to Administer
Quick to administer
Low burden on participants
Suitable for small groups
Able to provide detailed information on context of an activity. Eg. subject’s feelings, location, weather
Heavy subject burden
Difficulty recalling events
Misinterpret information/questions
Not suitable for assessing children under 10 or older adults due to cognitive limitations
Socially desirability bias
Interviewer may be needed to obtain accurate data

30. Activity
Over the next week you are required to keep a diary of all the physical activity you participate in
Think about the domains of activity
Record information on F,I,D,T
After you have completed the diary, what do you see to be the limitations of this method?

31. Objective measures of physical activity
Often rely on solid data or observations
Predominately used in measurement in individuals
Devices used are pedometer, heart-rate monitor or accelerometer
Remove disadvantages associated with subjective measures

32. Heart Rate Monitors
Provides a direct indicator of physiological responses to physical activity.
Used to estimate PA as energy expenditure, based on the assumption of a linear association between HR and energy expenditure.
Records beats per minute (bpm) on a watch and can be transferred to a computer.
Disadvantage: during low intensity PA the relationship between HR and energy expenditure is often not linear
Stress, fear, excitement & changes in body temp can affect HR

33. An example of h.r data Ironman (3.8k swim / 180km bike / 42.195km run)

34. Advantages
Disadvantages
Specific to physiological parameters
Easy to use
Clear in describing intensity
Simple and quick to collect data
Can be costly: limits use in big groups
Use restricted to aerobic activities
Can see variations to heart rate due to personal and environmental factors (eg. Stress, heat, emotions)

35. Pedometry
Device that records the number of steps taken and estimates the stride length (distance) and energy expenditure
Worn on the hip
Responds to vertical force
For health benefits you should be aiming for 10,000 steps per day
Advantages
Disadvantages
Inexpensive
Small, lightweight, non-invasive
Easy to administer in large groups
Potential to promote behaviour change
High variability among pedometers
Lack of stable calibration
Doesn’t record F, I, T, T
Possibility of participant tampering
Reactivity – causes participant to change behaviour

36. Pedometry <5000 steps / day = Sedentary
5000 – 7499 steps / day = Inactive
7500–9999 steps/day = Somewhat active
> 10,000 steps / day = Active
CHILDREN
Boys = at least 13,000 steps / day
Girls = at least 11,000 steps / day

37. Accelerometry
Motion sensors worn on the hip to assess the acceleration of the body in certain directions
Provides detail on F, I, D
Provides minute by minute data
Detects movement patterns
Advantages
Disadvantages
Small & lightweight
Low burden
Good for children under 10 yrs
Can measure PA that is difficult to measure eg; incidental or light intensity, sedentary time
Able to provide minute by minute data
Expensive
Not sensitive to low impact PA eg; cycling/rollerblading/activities using the upper body
Subject compliance
Inability to provide behavioural date(what are people doing?)

39. Direct Observation
Watching people’s physical activity levels within specific settings (Type, time, place & social setting)
Can collect data across a range of areas: F,I,D,T
Good to use in conjunction with other methods
Can be time consuming
Observers require training
More common assessing PA of children but can be used with adults
A variety of methods
BEACHES
SOFIT
SOPLAY

40. Objective measures: Direct observation.
Stats!

41. WWW. Some useful sites with behavioural observation measurement instruments.
SOFIT (system for observing fitness instruction time)
SOPLAY (system for observing play & leisure in youth)

42. Measurement trade off !!!!!!! THIS IS IMPORTANT, SOOOOO LISTEN
There are many ways to measure PA, but with each there is a trade off between practicality and its accuracy (validity).

43. Practicality & Accuracy trade off:
Recall (s)
Pedometers (o)
Accelerometers (o)
Heart rate (o)
PA logs (s)
Practicality
Diaries (s)
Direct observation (o)
0=objective
S=subjective
Accuracy

44. Assessing physical activity for validity and reliability
To assess physical activity or sedentary behaviour fairly and accurately, any method used must be valid and reliable.
A valid assessment method is one that tests the right, or appropriate, quality.
A reliable assessment method is one that can be repeatedly performed with the same results. For example: asking people to recall activity undertaken in the past week using a list of activities as a prompt is a reliable test.

45. Important notes!
Make sure the assessment instrument is appropriate for the target group – appropriate for a 12 year old or a 30 year old. Is there a difference??
Where cost and time permit, a combination of measures is usually the most effective option to measure physical activity.