Methods of measuring PA

Question 1

Why do we measure PA?

Answer 1

Learn more about the relationship between PA and health, e.g. increased chance of obesity, CVD and type 2 diabetes
How much PA people are doing
Look at trends
Plan intervention strategies

Question 2

What is the domain of PA?

Answer 2

Where you are. e.g. occupation/school, household, leisure and active transport

Question 3

What do you measure?

Answer 3

Dimensions of PA - frequency, intensity, duration and type

Question 4

Name 3 SUBJECTIVE methods of measuring PA

Answer 4

Recall survey
Logbook/Diary
Proxy reports
Self report

Question 5

What are characteristics of SUBJECTIVE measures?

Answer 5

Qualitative: based on opinion
Less reliable
Less expensive
Easier to use on a large population

Question 6

What is social desirability bias?

Answer 6

People telling you what you want to hear, not the truth. Results are therefore not accurate and not reliable

Question 7

What are characteristics of OBJECTIVE measures?

Answer 7

Quantitive: based on data
More reliable
Highly accurate
Expensive and time consuming
Best for individuals

Question 8

Name 3 OBJECTIVE methods of measuring PA

Answer 8

Pedometry
Accelerometry
Observational/direct surveillance

Question 9

Recall surveys

Answer 9

Short questionnaire about recent activity
Includes self reports, proxy reports and interview
Measures all domains and detentions of PA
May be hard to recall
Social desirability bias
Not suitable for elderly or children under 10 years
BEST SUITED FOR ADULTS (PROXY REPORTS FOR CHILDREN AND INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED)

Question 10

Diary/logbook

Answer 10

Includes proxy report
Detailed data
All domains and dimensions are measured
May be forgotten to fill in
Social desirability bias
May need training to complete the log entry
May be a burden
BEST SUITED FOR ADULTS

Question 11

Pedomerty

Answer 11

Records number of steps taken and distance travelled when length of studies is put in
Cant record frequency, duration, type, context or intensity
Reactivity is low if the step count is sealed
Only measures walking/running
10,000 steps a day will allow to meet the NPAG
BEST SUITED FOR CHILDREN - OLDER ADULTS

Question 12

Accelerometer

Answer 12

Motion sensor measuring the acceleration of the body
Measures up/down movement as well as sideways in real time
Frequency, duration and intensity are measured
Reactivity is low
Requires a trained person to use it
BEST SUITED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS

Question 13

Observation

Answer 13

Measures all dimensions of PA, as well as context and domain
Time and labour intensive
Requires a trained person
Time consuming
Observation of adults can be obtrusive
BEST SUITED FOR CHILDREN - YOUNG PEOPLE AND THOSE FROM A NON ENGLISH SPEAKING BACKGROUND OR INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED

Question 14

How do you measure sedentary behaviour?

Answer 14

Using subjective methods such as self report and recall. Direct observation is too invasive, and objective methods don’t measure the context and type of activity