Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare two different techniques for measuring physical activity in adolescents. Fifteen year olds (girls, n=10, boys, n=8) had their heart rates recorded at one minute intervals for twelve hours on a school day and a weekend day. Subjects were deemed to be vigorously active if they had a least one twenty minute period per day of continuous heart rate elevation in excess of 60% of their maximum. The subjects also completed the Life in New Zealand (LINZ) questionnaire which assesses the level and extent of participation in all forms of physical activity. The LINZ questionnaire classifies subjects as undertaking vigorous physical activity if they meet the ACSM guidelines for developing and maintaining aerobic fitness. The subjects had their levels of vigorous physical activity assessed using both techniques twice, with a six month interval between measurements. The LINZ questionnaire predicted that 45% of the girls and 40% of the boys were vigorously active. These results compare relatively favourably with previous surveys. The heart rate data however, indicated that only 30% of girls and boys were vigorously active. These results indicate that caution needs to be extended when interpreting questionnaire results that assess physical activity in adolescents.
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