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Physical activity pattern of children assessed by triaxial accelerometry
M B Hoos1, H Kuipers, W-J M Gerver
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands. Marije.hoos@kg.unimaas.nl
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|May 6, 2004
Summary
Children with higher physical activity levels (PAL) spend less time on low-intensity activities and more time on high-intensity activities. Encouraging high-intensity activities is key to increasing children's overall physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Sports Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Understanding children's physical activity patterns is crucial for public health initiatives.
- Physical activity levels (PAL) in children are influenced by the intensity and duration of activities.
- Previous research has established activity intensity benchmarks in adults and elderly populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between physical activity level (PAL) and the time spent on activities of varying intensities in children.
- To compare children's activity intensity profiles with those of young adults and elderly individuals.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 20 children (aged 8.6+/-3.3 years) participated in the study.
- A triaxial accelerometer (Tracmor2) was worn by each child for two weeks to measure physical activity.
- Physical activity level (PAL) and the fraction of time spent on low, moderate, and high-intensity activities were calculated and compared to existing data.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse relationship was observed between PAL and time spent on low-intensity activities (r = -0.76; P < 0.0001).
- A significant positive relationship was found between PAL and time spent on high-intensity activities (r = 0.93; P < 0.0001).
- Children spent a smaller fraction of time on low-intensity activities and a larger fraction on high-intensity activities compared to young adults and elderly individuals (P < 0.05 for low intensity vs. young adults, P < 0.0001 for low intensity vs. elderly, P < 0.0001 for high intensity vs. both groups).
Conclusions:
- The findings highlight distinct physical activity intensity patterns in children compared to older age groups.
- Promoting opportunities for high-intensity activities is recommended to enhance overall physical activity levels in children.
- These insights are vital for developing targeted educational and preventive strategies regarding physical (in)activity in childhood.