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Adolescent pedometer protocols: examining reactivity, tampering and participants' perceptions.
Joseph John Scott1, Philip James Morgan, Ronald Cyril Plotnikoff
1a Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle , Callaghan Campus , Australia.
Journal of Sports Sciences
|September 11, 2013
Summary
Adolescent reactivity and tampering with pedometers were examined. Weekly sealed monitoring showed the strongest correlation with accelerometer data, suggesting it may reduce participant behaviour changes.
Area of Science:
- Physical Activity Measurement
- Adolescent Health Research
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Pedometers are commonly used to measure physical activity in adolescents.
- Concerns exist regarding adolescent reactivity and tampering with device data.
- Different monitoring protocols may influence data accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate adolescent reactivity and tampering with pedometers.
- To compare the effects of different pedometer monitoring protocols (daily sealed, unsealed, weekly sealed) on data validity.
- To assess the influence of monitoring protocols on participant behavior.
Main Methods:
- 123 adolescents (14-15 years) from three Australian secondary schools participated.
- Schools were randomized into daily sealed (DS), unsealed (US), or weekly sealed (WS) pedometer groups.
- Participants simultaneously wore pedometers and accelerometers for seven days; data analyzed using ANOVA and correlations.
Main Results:
- The weekly sealed (WS) group exhibited the strongest correlation between pedometer steps and accelerometer output (r = 0.82).
- The daily sealed (DS) and unsealed (US) groups showed significant evidence of reactivity (P ≤ 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively).
- The WS group did not show significant evidence of reactivity (P = 0.891).
Conclusions:
- Adolescent reactivity and tampering with pedometer data do occur.
- Pedometer monitoring protocols significantly influence participant behavior and data validity.
- Weekly sealed monitoring appears to be a more reliable protocol for adolescent physical activity studies.
