14.2 Measures of PA

Question 1

Outline objective measures including an example

Answer 1

Comes from an object eg a pedometer

Question 2

Outline subjective measures including an example

Answer 2

Comes from the subject, eg survey.

Question 3

Outline social desireability bias and list how to avoid it

Answer 3

Altering results to appear better. Need to increase the time over which the testing is done.

Question 4

Outline reactivity and list how to avoid it

Answer 4

Changing behaviour after seeing your results. Can be avoided by increasing the time over which testing is done.

Question 5

Outline 3 advantages of recall surveys and diaries

Answer 5

1. Can assess adherence with APAGs and sedentary behaviour guidelines as they provide context.
2. They are a cheap.
3. Quick and easy to administer.

Question 6

Outline 2 limitations of recall surveys and diaries

Answer 6

1. Requires cognitive and memory skills so not suitable for everyone
2. Subject to social desireability bias and reactivity.

Question 7

Outline 3 advantages of pedometers

Answer 7

1. Cheap
2. Small and light weight hence non invasive
3. Easy to administer as you just put them on your waiste.

Question 8

Outline 3 limitations of pedometers

Answer 8

1. Only measures steps so can not measure adherence to the NPAGs or the sedentary behaviour guidelines
2. Easily tampered with eg shaking them can add on steps so there is decreased accuracy
3. Not suitable for water based activities or anything other than walking.

Question 9

Outline 3 advantages Accelerometers

Answer 9

1. Stores data in real time.
2. They are small, light weight and hence non-invasive for the person wearing them.
3. They cover multiple planes of activity eg can measure running as well as upper body movements.

Question 10

Outline 3 limitations Accelerometers

Answer 10

1. Cost $100 so although they are affordable at the individual level they are not appropriate for large groups.
2. Do not measure type of activity so can not measure compliance with NPAGs or Sedentary behaviour guidelines.
3. Do not measure water based or low movement count activities well.

Question 11

Outline 3 advantages of Personal Activity trackers

Answer 11

1. Can measure almost any form of physical activity.
2. Can measure sedentary behaviour
3. Can be personalised for the individual

Question 12

Outline 3 limitations of Personal Activity trackers

Answer 12

1. Cost $100+ so although they are affordable at the individual level they are not appropriate for large groups / the population level,
2. Do not measure type of activity (automatically) so can not measure compliance with NPAGs or Sedentary behaviour guidelines
3. Reduced accuracy for some activities eg free play or treadmills.

Question 13

Outline 3 advantages of direct observation

Answer 13

1. Can assess compliance with NPAGs as they measure all of DIFT and contextual information
2. Very accurate as an observer watches someone all day
3. Useful for school and community settings.

Question 14

Outline 2 limitations of direct observation

Answer 14

1. Time consuming to complete.
2. Observer requires training

Question 15

Outline 2 advantages of SOPLAY

Answer 15

1. It is an accurate and reliable way to measure usage of an area.
2. Data is comparable to a bank of norms for comparisons.

Question 16

Outline 2 limitations of SOPLAY

Answer 16

1. Can not assess adherence to the NPAGs as only follows a person while they are in the area being observed.
2. Time consuming to complete. Observer requires training