Abstract
Background: Accelerometers measure complex movements of children’s free play moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), including step and non-step movements. Current accelerometer technology has introduced algorithms to measure steps, along with counts. Precise interpretation of accelerometer-based cadence (steps/min) cut-points is necessary for accurately measuring and tracking children’s MVPA. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships and agreement between accelerometer-based cut-points (cadence and counts/min) to estimate children’s MVPA compared to measured values. Methods: Forty children (8–12 years; 25 boys) played 6–10 games while wearing a portable metabolic analyzer and GT3X+ to measure and estimate MVPA, respectively. Correlation, kappa, sensitivity, and specificity assessed the relationships and agreement between measured and estimated MVPA. Results: Games elicited, on average, 6.3 ± 1.6 METs, 64.5 ± 24.7 steps/min, and 3318 ± 1262 vertical (V) and 5350 ± 1547 vector-magnitude (VM) counts/min. The relationship between measured and estimated MVPA intensity was higher for cadence (r = 0.50) than V and VM counts/min (r = 0.38 for both). Agreement using V and VM counts/min for measuring PA intensity varied by cut-points (range: 6.8% (κ = −0.02) to 97.6% (κ = 0.49)), while agreement was low using cadence cut-points (range: 4.0% (κ = 0.0009) to 11.3% (κ = 0.001)). Conclusion: While measured and estimated values were well correlated, using cadence tended to misclassify children’s free-play MVPA.
Highlights
Measuring physical activity (PA) is necessary to determine if children acquire sufficient moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) to promote healthy growth patterns and lifestyles
Girls were significantly heavier than boys, while OW children were heavier and had greater body mass index (BMI) percentile and higher Resting metabolic rate (RMR) compared to HW children, as expected. (Table 2)
Based on the age-specific Freedson V counts/min cut-points [2], 371 (97.6%) of the 377 games were correctly classified as moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), whereas based on the Evenson cut-point [4], only 298 (78.4%) of the games were correctly classified as MVPA with 78 (20.5%) of the games misclassified as light-intensity
Summary
Measuring physical activity (PA) is necessary to determine if children acquire sufficient moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) to promote healthy growth patterns and lifestyles. Obtaining true measures of MVPA in children is challenging due to the unpredictable and intermittent nature of play behavior [1]. Objective monitors, such as accelerometers and pedometers, have continued to advance in terms of technology and interpretation, especially over the past decade. Numerous accelerometer-based (counts/min) prediction equations and cut-points are available for estimating children’s PA energy expenditure (PAEE) and PA intensity [2,3,4]. Precise interpretation of accelerometer-based cadence (steps/min) cut-points is necessary for accurately measuring and tracking children’s MVPA. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships and agreement between accelerometer-based cut-points (cadence and counts/min) to estimate children’s MVPA compared to measured values. Results: Games elicited, on average, 6.3 ± 1.6 METs, 64.5 ± 24.7 steps/min, and 3318 ± 1262 vertical (V) and 5350 ± 1547 vector-magnitude (VM)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
