Physical Activity Recommendations For Children Research Articles

Effects of Long-Duration Home Isolation Linked to the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health of Adolescent Athletes.

To assess whether adolescent athletes were affected or not in terms of mental health by the long duration at home linked to isolation enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 940 team athletes, 274 individual athletes, and 131 nonathlete controls aged 12-17years. Demographic data were obtained with a form including questions about age, sex, sports type, and physical activity status (type, duration, and frequency) during the isolation period. Participants completed the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale-13, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children. Among participants, 88% did not meet the physical activity recommendations for children and adolescents, while 42.8% felt depressed. Depressive symptoms were present in 38.1% of boys and 59.7% of girls, with girls (6.4%) having higher posttraumatic stress symptoms than boys (3.5%). Among athletes, depressive and anxiety symptoms were lower compared with nonathlete controls (P < .01). Posttraumatic stress symptoms were lower among athletes than nonathlete controls for girls (team vs control, P = .006; individual vs control, P = .002) but similar for boys (P > .05). The depression (P = .518), state (P = .866), and trait anxiety (P = .507) symptoms were similar between team athletes and individual athletes. Though adolescent athletes' depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms were significantly lower than nonathlete controls, athletes also had high depression levels. These findings show the need to take precautions to protect the psychological health of not only nonathletes, but also athletes in the pandemic period.

Physical Activity and Sports Participation in Irish Adolescents and Associations with Anxiety, Depression and Mental Wellbeing. Findings from the Physical Activity and Wellbeing (Paws) Study

A cross-sectional study design was used to examine associations between frequency of physical activity and participation in sports with mental wellbeing, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Surveys were completed in post-primary schools by 5,661 adolescents from the Republic of Ireland. Validated instruments were used to assess frequency of physical activity, participation in sports, mental wellbeing (WEMWS), depressive symptoms (BDI) and anxiety (BAI). A minority of the sample (11.5% of males and 5.3% of females) were found to meet WHO’s physical activity guidelines (60 minutes or more each day). Frequency of activity were found to decline with age. Frequency of activity was positively associated with wellbeing and negatively associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Males had higher levels of wellbeing and lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms across all sub-groups. Adolescents who engaged in sports were found to have higher levels of wellbeing and lower symptoms of anxiety and depression with team sport conferring an additional benefit. Future physical activity recommendations for children and adolescents should include mental as well as physical health benefits.

Resistance Exercise for the Prevention and Treatment of Pediatric Dynapenia

Temporal trends of youth muscular fitness (i.e., muscular strength, muscular power and local muscular endurance) indicate that contemporary children and adolescents are weaker and slower than previous generations. Consequently, this generation of millennials appear to be just as vulnerable as older adults to the inevitable consequences of muscle disuse and neuromuscular dysfunction. The modern-day construct of pediatric dynapenia describes an identifiable and treatable condition in youth characterized by low levels of muscular strength and power and consequent physical and psychosocial limitations not caused by neurologic or muscular disease. An interaction of modifiable physical and psychosocial factors can influence the development and progression of pediatric dynapenia. Without structured interventions that target strength deficits and build strength reserves in a supporting environment, the divergence in performance between weaker and stronger children may persist into adolescence because weaker youth may be unable to break through a so-called strength barrier. Regular participation in a well-designed youth resistance training program provides an opportunity for youth to enhance their health and fitness while acquiring the physical skills and behaviors that support an active lifestyle. New insights have highlighted the importance of initiating strength-building interventions early in life to optimize performance gains in other important components of physical fitness. Developmentally appropriate resistance training should be integrated into school- and community-based youth fitness programs and strength-building activities should take a more prominent position in public health physical activity recommendations for children and adolescents.

The Effects of Varying Structured Physical Activity Duration on Young Children’s and Parents’ Activity Levels

ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of this study was to examine whether structured physical activity (PA) in a family-based community exercise program affects PA of young children and parents. Method: Twenty-two children (mean ± SD; age, 4.9 ± 2.1 years) and their parents (age, 34.3 ± 7.6 years) participated in unstructured PA sessions followed by either short- or long-duration structured PA sessions, while wearing an ActiGraph GT9X activity monitor on their right hip to estimate PA. Independent t-tests compared children’s and parents’ PA during short- and long-structured PA sessions. Paired t-tests compared short- versus long-structured PA sessions. A mixed model ANOVA compared PA during unstructured versus structured sessions and between children and parents. Results: Children spent proportionately more time in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and had higher accelerometer counts/min than parents during short-structured PA (children:60.9 ± 18.8% vs. parents:17.7 ± 6.8%, children:3870 ± 742 vs. parents:1836 ± 556 counts/min, p < .05) and long-structured PA (children:61.1 ± 20.1% vs. parents:12.6 ± 4.9%, children:3415 ± 758 vs. parents:1604 ± 633 counts/min, p < .05). No statistical differences were found between short- and long-structured PA sessions for proportion of time spent in MVPA or counts/min for children or parents (all, p > .05). Children spent proportionally more time in MVPA and had higher counts/min during unstructured PA compared to structured PA (unstructured MVPA:54.4 ± 3.9% vs. structured MVPA:38.2 ± 4.2%, unstructured counts/min:3830 ± 222 vs. structured counts/min:2768 ± 239 counts/min; p < .05). Conclusions: Children were more active than parents during both the unstructured and structured PA sessions. However, unstructured PA sessions resulted in 63–77% and 10–11% of PA recommendations for children and adults, respectively. Family-based exercise programming can provide an opportunity for children and their parents to attain MVPA during the week.

Changes in eating behavior and plasma leptin in children with obesity participating in a family-centered lifestyle intervention

The goal of childhood obesity lifestyle interventions are to positively change body composition, however it is unknown if interventions also modulate factors that are related to energy intake. This study aimed to examine changes in eating behaviors and plasma leptin concentrations in overweight and obese children participating in a 1-year family-centered lifestyle intervention. Interventions were based on Canadian diet and physical activity (PA) guidelines. Children were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: Control (Ctrl; no intervention), Standard treatment (StnTx: 2 servings milk and alternatives/day (d), 3x/wk weight-bearing PA), or Modified treatment (ModTx: 4 servings milk and alternatives/day; daily weight-bearing PA). Study visits occurred every 3-months for 1-y; interventions were held once a month for 6-months with one follow-up visit at 8-months. Ctrl received counselling after 1-y. Caregivers completed the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) and reported on diet and activity. Plasma leptin were measured from morning fasted blood samples. Seventy-eight children (mean age 7.8 ± 0.8 y; mean BMI 24.4 ± 3.3 kg/m2) participated; 94% completed the study. Compared to baseline, at 6-months StnTx reduced Emotional Overeating and Desire to Drink scores (p < 0.05) while Food Responsiveness scores were reduced in both StnTx and ModTx (p < 0.05). At 1-year, scores for Desire to Drink in StnTx remained reduced compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Plasma leptin concentrations were significantly lower in ModTx at 6-months compared to baseline (p < 0.05). This study resulted in intervention groups favorably changing eating behaviors, supporting the use family-centered lifestyle interventions using Canadian diet and PA recommendations for children with obesity.

A collaborative approach to adopting/adapting guidelines - The Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the early years (Birth to 5 years): an integration of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep

BackgroundIn 2017, the Australian Government funded the update of the National Physical Activity Recommendations for Children 0–5 years, with the intention that they be an integration of movement behaviours across the 24-h period. The benefit for Australia was that it could leverage research in Canada in the development of their 24-h guidelines for the early years. Concurrently, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group published a model to produce guidelines based on adoption, adaption and/or de novo development using the GRADE evidence-to-decision framework. Referred to as the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach, it allows guideline developers to follow a structured and transparent process in a more efficient manner, potentially avoiding the need to unnecessarily repeat costly tasks such as conducting systematic reviews. The purpose of this paper is to outline the process and outcomes for adapting the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years to develop the Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years guided by the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT framework.MethodsThe development process was guided by the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach. A Leadership Group and Consensus Panel were formed and existing credible guidelines identified. The draft Canadian 24-h integrated movement guidelines for the early years best met the criteria established by the Panel. These were evaluated based on the evidence in the GRADE tables, summaries of findings tables and draft recommendations from the Canadian Draft Guidelines. Updates to each of the Canadian systematic reviews were conducted and the Consensus Panel reviewed the evidence for each behaviour separately and made a decision to adopt or adapt the Canadian recommendations for each behaviour or create de novo recommendations. An online survey was then conducted (n = 302) along with five focus groups (n = 30) and five key informant interviews (n = 5) to obtain feedback from stakeholders on the draft guidelines.ResultsBased on the evidence from the Canadian systematic reviews and the updated systematic reviews in Australia, the Consensus Panel agreed to adopt the Canadian recommendations and, apart from some minor changes to the wording of good practice statements, keep the wording of the guidelines, preamble and title of the Canadian Guidelines. The Australian Guidelines provide evidence-informed recommendations for a healthy day (24-h), integrating physical activity, sedentary behaviour (including limits to screen time), and sleep for infants (<1 year), toddlers (1–2 years) and preschoolers (3–5 years).ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is only the second time the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach has been used. Following this approach, the judgments of the Australian Consensus Panel did not differ sufficiently to change the directions and strength of the recommendations and as such, the Canadian recommendations were adopted with very minor alterations. This allowed the Guidelines to be developed much faster and at lower cost. As such, we would recommend the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach, especially if a credible set of guidelines, with all supporting materials and developed using a transparent process, is available. Other countries may consider using this approach when developing and/or revising national movement guidelines.

Parents’ Interpretations of Screen Time Recommendations for Children Younger Than 2 Years

Move and Play Every Day: National Physical Activity Recommendations for Children 0-5 Years was part of a suite of physical activity guidelines issued by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing in 2010. Guidelines included the recommendation that “children younger than 2 years should not spend any time watching television or using other electronic media.” In-depth semistructured interviews investigated parents’ interpretations and factors affecting decision making regarding screen time behaviors of their young children (from birth to 2 years). Results reveal great diversity in understandings of recommendations and confirm that unique contextual factors, many of which emerge from the micro-environment of the family home, affect decision making. Variations in interpretation may account for disparities in the awareness and effectiveness of recommendations. Results may help inform future guidelines and interventions by pointing to the need to consider the idiosyncratic nature of young families in order to have the desired impact.

Abstract P128: Accelerometer-determined Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity and the Cardiovascular Response to Stress in Children

Background: Physical activity (PA) has been associated with lower cardiovascular reactivity in adults, but little data is available in children. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between PA and cardiovascular reactivity to stress in children. Methods: This study sample included children from the Oswego Lead Study (n=79, 46% female, 9-11 years old). Impedance cardiography was performed while children participated in a stress response protocol consisting of three stress tasks in random order, separated by 8-minute intertask rest periods. Change in heart rate (HR) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) (from baseline to stress level) were standardized within each task, then averaged across tasks (zMean [[Unable to Display Character: &amp;#8710;]]). Total peripheral resistance (TPR) was calculated using BP and cardiac output (CO); TPR = ([(SBP-DBP)/3] + DBP)/CO X 80. Percent change in TPR (from baseline to stress level) was standardized within each task, and then averaged across tasks (zMean %[[Unable to Display Character: &amp;#8710;]]). Children were also asked to wear Actigraph accelerometers on their wrists for 3 days to measure intensity and duration of PA and sedentary time. Results: In multivariable regression models, moderate to vigorous (MV) PA was associated with a lower body mass index (BMI) percentile, lower resting heart rate (HR), and lower TPR response to stress (Table 1; all p &lt; 0.05). After additional adjustment for BMI, MVPA was also associated with lower diastolic blood pressure response to stress (p &lt; 0.05). Sedentary time was not associated with resting measures or cardiovascular responses to stress (data not shown). Conclusions: A modest relation was observed between MVPA and vascular reactivity to stress in children after accounting for the effect of BMI. These data provide confirmatory evidence that the promotion of PA recommendations for children are important for cardiovascular health.

Objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary behaviour does not differ between children and adolescents with and without a congenital heart defect: a pilot examination

To objectively evaluate and describe physical activity levels in children with a stable congenital heart defect and compare those levels with children who do not have a congenital heart defect. We matched 21 pairs of children for gender and grade in school and gave them an accelerometer-based motion sensor to wear for 7 consecutive days. Physical activity levels did not differ between children with and without a congenital heart defect. During the 7 days of monitoring, children in this study spent most of their time in sedentary behaviours, that is, 6.7 hours of the 13 monitored hours, 54 minutes in moderate-intensity physical activity, and 12 minutes in vigorous-intensity physical activity. Less than one-fifth of all participants, with or without a congenital heart defect, accumulated sufficient physical activity to meet current physical activity recommendations for children and adolescents. Children with a stable congenital heart defect have activity behaviours that are similar to children without a congenital heart defect. Habitual physical activity in children with a congenital heart defect should be encouraged early on in life to develop strong physical activity habits that will hopefully follow them across their lifespan.

Commentary on “Pediatric Physical Therapists' Use of Support Walkers for Children With Disabilities

“How could I apply this information?” This article provides valuable information about the current practice of experienced pediatric physical therapists related to the use of support walkers (SWs). Respondents perceived that SWs allow children with a variety of diagnoses who are unable to walk independently to achieve an upright position and increase participation with peers. Most respondents recommended 2 specific walkers and a minimum of 9 sessions for a child to learn to move the SW. In addition, respondents indicated that about 50% of children will progress to a handheld walker within 1 year. This information is helpful in responding to families about timeframes for learning to use an SW and about prognosis for a less supportive type of device. Recommendation for a particular SW depended on the child's needs, the clinical picture, and the family situation, and these parameters might direct a practitioner in developing evaluation criteria. The increased participation opportunities and perceived physiological benefits could be useful for payment purposes. The home is the second most frequent setting for the use of an SW, but every household may not have adequate space. Therapists may be able to encourage schools and families to use the SW to attempt to meet the current physical activity recommendations for children for 60 minutes per day1 and to avoid a decreased physical exercise seen in some children with developmental impairments.2 “What should I be mindful about in applying this information?” Readers should be mindful that the results describe current practice rather than “best practice” determined by objective outcome measures. The experience of the respondents may have influenced the perceived ease of adjustability of specific SWs. Evidence was cited as a top factor in selecting an SW, but little evidence exists for using SWs, or for specific types of SWs. Respondents cited guidelines for standing to affect bone mineral density, but children using SWs may be unable to sustain activity for a full 60 minutes. Readers must consider whether respondents were referring to documented records of clients or were basing responses on general practice perceptions. The article demonstrates the value of SWs and emphasizes the need for more research on the use of SWs and on the “dose” required to produce physiological effects. Venita Lovelace-Chandler, PT, PhD, PCS Texas Woman's University, Dallas, Texas Diana Early, PT, MS, PCS Baylor Our Children's House, Dallas, Texas

Childhood and adolescent predictors of leisure time physical activity during the transition from adolescence to adulthood: a population based cohort study.

BackgroundFew studies have investigated factors that influence physical activity behavior during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. This study explores the associations of sociodemographic, behavioral, sociocultural, attitudinal and physical factors measured in childhood and adolescence with physical activity behavior during the transition from adolescence to adulthood.MethodsChildhood and adolescent data (at ages 7-15 years) were collected as part of the 1985 Australian Health and Fitness Survey and subdivided into sociodemographics (socioeconomic status, parental education), behavioral (smoking, alcohol, sports diversity, outside school sports), sociocultural (active father, active mother, any older siblings, any younger siblings, language spoken at home), attitudinal (sports/recreational competency, self-rated health, enjoyment physical education/physical activity, not enjoying school sports) and physical (BMI, time taken to run 1.6 km, long jump) factors. Physical activity between the ages 15 and 29 years was reported retrospectively using the Historical Leisure Activity Questionnaire at follow-up in 2004-2006 by 2,048 participants in the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study (CDAH). Australia's physical activity recommendations for children and adults were used to categorize participants as persistently active, variably active or persistently inactive during the transition from adolescence to adulthood.ResultsFor females, perceived sports competency in childhood and adolescence was significantly associated with being persistently active (RR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.39, 2.55). Smoking (RR = 0.31 CI = 0.12, 0.82) and having younger siblings (RR = 0.69 CI = 0.52, 0.93) were inversely associated with being persistently active after taking physical and attitudinal factors into account. For males, playing sport outside school (RR = 1.47 CI = 1.05, 2.08), having active fathers (RR = 1.25 CI = 1.01, 1.54) and not enjoying school sport (RR = 4.07 CI = 2.31, 7.17) were associated with being persistently active into adulthood. Time taken to complete the 1.6 km run was inversely associated with being persistently active into adulthood (RR = 0.85 CI = 0.78, 0.93) after adjusting for recreational competency.ConclusionsPerceived sports competency (females) and cardiorespiratory fitness, playing sport outside school and having active fathers (males) in childhood and adolescence were positively associated with being persistently active during the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Heart rate biofeedback fails to enhance children's ability to identify time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity

Physical activity recommendations for children in several countries advise that all young people should accumulate at least 60 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Perceiving physical activity intensity, however, can be a difficult task for children and it is not clear whether children can identify their levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity in accordance with the recommended guidelines. This study aimed to (1) explore whether children can identify time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity; and (2) investigate whether heart rate biofeedback would improve children's ability to estimate time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. Thirty seven children (15 boys and 22 girls, mean age 12.6 years) wore data recording Polar E600 heart rate monitors during eight physical education lessons. At the end of each lesson children's estimated time in zone was compared to their actual time in zone. During a six lesson Intervention phase, one class was assigned to a biofeedback group whilst the other class acted as the control group and received no heart rate biofeedback. Post-Intervention, students in the biofeedback group were no better than the control group at estimating time spent in zone (mean relative error of estimation biofeedback group: Pre-Intervention 41 ± 32% to Post-Intervention 28 ± 26%; control group: Pre-Intervention 40 ± 39% to Post-Intervention 31 ± 37%). Thus it seems that identifying time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity remains a complex task for children aged 11-13 even with the help of heart rate biofeedback.

Physical Activities Intensities Of Brazilian Children During School-break

School-break has been indicated as an important setting to physical activity (PA) promotion among children by many public health institutions to achieve the actual 60 minutes.day-1 recommendations. PURPOSE: To quantify school-break PA intensities and verify the impact of these activities on PA recommendations for children. METHODS: Experiments were carried out on 50 children (30 girls and 20 boys) with mean age of 11.2 ± 1.1 years. The heart rate (HR) was monitored in 3 school-breaks during the same week. PA intensities were considered as low until 140bpm, moderate between 140 and 160bpm, and vigorous higher than 160bpm. RESULTS: School-breaks mean duration was 29 min and 54 sec, at a mean temperature of 17 ± 1.6°C. The following table shows the main results.TABLE 1: Mean time percentage in each HR intensities.CONCLUSION: Our data analyses indicated 80% of PA during school-breaks as low intensity for boys and girls. The school-breaks contribution to achieve children recommendations was of only 6 minutes (10%). Introduction of active breaks in school days and to build facilities as playgrounds as well as sports material availability could be an interesting alternative to increase children participation in moderate to vigorous PA, which Brazilian public health authorities ought to consider. Supported by: FAPEMIG

Physical Activity Recommendations for Children With Specific Chronic Health Conditions: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Hemophilia, Asthma, and Cystic Fibrosis

As a group, children with a chronic disease or disability are less active than their healthy peers. There are many reasons for suboptimal physical activity, including biological, psychological, and social factors. Furthermore, the lack of specific guidelines for 'safe' physical activity participation poses a barrier to increasing activity. Physical activity provides significant general health benefits and may improve disease outcomes. Each child with a chronic illness should be evaluated by an experienced physician for activity counselling and for identifying any contraindications to participation. The present statement reviews the benefits and risks of participation in sport and exercise for children with juvenile arthritis, hemophilia, asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Guidelines for participation are included.

Physical activity recommendations for children with specific chronic health conditions: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hemophilia, asthma and cystic fibrosis

As a group, children with a chronic disease or disability are less active than their healthy peers. There are many reasons for suboptimal physical activity, including biological, psychological and social factors. Furthermore, the lack of specific guidelines for 'safe' physical activity participation poses a barrier to increasing activity. Physical activity provides significant general health benefits and may improve disease outcomes. Each child with a chronic illness should be evaluated by an experienced physician for activity counselling and for identifing any contraindications to participation. The present statement reviews the benefits and risks of participation in sport and exercise for children with juvenile arthritis, hemophilia, asthma and cystic fibrosis. Guidelines for participation are included.

Physical Activity Recommendations for Children and Adolescents with Chronic Disease

Youth with low physical activity and fitness levels and high body fat levels are more likely to develop additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as elevated blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels. Participation in daily physical activity can reduce body fat, encourage weight loss, and improve aerobic fitness in youth without disabilities. Recent research involving youth with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, cystic fibrosis, asthma, diabetes, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and hemophilia suggest positive effects of exercise therapy upon the aerobic capacity, functional ability, and quality of life of children and adolescents with disabilities and chronic diseases. Strategies exist for introducing exercise as a lifelong intervention in pediatric populations with chronic diseases.

Physical Activity Intensity and Risk of Overweight and Adiposity in Children

Physical activity recommendations for children focus on duration of activity and underemphasize intensity. To evaluate the relationship between physical activity (intensity and duration) and the odds of being overweight, >20% body fat and >25% body fat. Body fat, BMI and physical activity (accelerometry) were measured in children (n = 251) aged 8-10 years. Physical activity was quantified as time in moderate physical activity (MPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA). Prevalence of overweight and obesity were 18 and 11.6%, respectively. Regression indicated that VPA, not MPA, is associated with body fat (r = 0.35, P < 0.001) and BMI (r = 0.26, P < 0.001). Odds ratio demonstrated a significant impact of MPA and VPA on body composition. Children performing < or =5 min/day of VPA are 4.0 times more likely to have > or =20% body fat (P < 0.001), 2.9 times more likely to have > or =25% body fat (P < 0.05) and 5.2 times more likely to be classified as overweight (P < 0.01) compared to children performing > or =15 min/day. Those performing < or =15 min/day of MPA vs. >45 min/day MPA are at 4.2 increased odds of having > or =20% body fat (P < 0.001), and 3.0 increased odds of having > or =25% (P < 0.01). Lower durations of both MPA and VPA are associated with increased odds of overweight and adiposity. Forty-five minutes of MPA and fifteen minutes of VPA were associated with reduced body fat and BMI. We recommend that these amounts are used to develop minimum physical activity intensity guidelines for the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Comparison of Two Sets of Accelerometer Cut-Off Points for Calculating Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in Young Children.

Accelerometers are becoming more widely used in the assessment of physical activity in children, and converting the output to min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) requires the use of age-specific cut-off point definitions. However, numerous cut-off points are available among children, and different cutoff point definitions of MVPA have been used in different studies. Comparison between studies may therefore be difficult, and conclusions drawn from studies may be inaccurate. Guinhouya et al. found significant differences between the 2 most commonly used accelerometer cut-off points for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in 8- to 11-year-old children. 1 This finding confirms that the differences between the 2 cut-off points are large and meaningful and, depending on what cut-off point is used, yield vastly different results, which may misclassify children according to their physical activity. Guinhouya and colleagues’ study is the first to report the differences in MVPA, which is important because it allows compliance with current US, UK, and Australian physical activity recommendations for children to be evaluated. 2-4 Further, it highlights the urgent need for physical activity researchers to test the validity of different cut-off points and report variations between them for different age groups. Our aim was to examine discrepancies in categorizing MVPA for preschool children using the accelerometer cut-off point definitions reported by Sirard 5 (MVPA S ) and Puyau 6 (MVPA P ).

Gender and age differences in relation to the recommendations of physical activity among Norwegian children and youth.

The Norwegian physical activity recommendations for children and youth state that there should be a minimum of 60 min of physical activity of at least moderate intensity every day. The purpose of this study was to evaluate objectively the level of physical activity in a representative cohort of urban children and youth in Norway with regard to these recommendations. Four hundred and ten 9-year-old and 350 15-year-old boys and girls from the Oslo region participated. Physical activity was registered for 4 consecutive days using the Computer Science and Application activity monitor. The results showed that 86.2% of the 9-year-olds and 55.4% of the 15-year-olds met the recommendations. Furthermore, the activity level was significantly (P< 0.0001) higher among boys than girls of both age groups and significantly (P<0.001) lower in the oldest cohort than in the youngest one. All participants were less active during the weekend than during the weekdays (P< 0.05). In conclusion, a number of urban children and youth do not fulfill the Norwegian physical activity recommendations, especially among the 15-year-olds. It is therefore important to provide action towards those children and youth who are least physically active and simultaneously prevent the general decline in physical activity.