Using ecological momentary assessment to evaluate current physical activity

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Epidemiology
• Biomedical Research

Background:

• Physical activity assessment is crucial for public health.
• Existing methods for evaluating physical activity have limitations.
• Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) offers a potential alternative for real-time data collection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) for assessing physical activity in children, adolescents, and adults.
• To determine if EMA meets established criteria for validity, reliability, objectivity, norms, and standardization in physical activity evaluation.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted in December 2012.
• Databases searched included EBSCO-CINHAL, Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed, and SPORTDiscuss for articles on EMA.
• Twenty articles related to EMA were examined.

Main Results:

• Ten of the 20 studies utilized electronic data collection methods, including smartphone applications.
• Ten studies incorporated objective monitoring equipment.
• Eighteen studies discussed the validity of EMA, with four confirming its objectivity. Nineteen studies were conducted over four days, and all documented feasible EMA procedures.

Conclusions:

• Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a valid, reliable, and feasible method for evaluating physical activity and sedentary behavior.
• Researchers must acknowledge the numerous benefits and limitations of EMA when designing physical activity studies.