Age and gender-related physical activity. A descriptive study in children using accelerometry.
OBJECTIVE
Precise measures of habitual physical activity are necessary in studies designed to: 1) document the frequency and distribution of physical activity in defined population groups; 2) determine the amount or dose of physical activity requires to influence specific health parameters. The purpose of this study was to document the age and gender-related physical activity levels on a sample of school children.


METHODS
The sample for the present study comprised 157 children (boys n=64 and girls n=93), aged 8 to 15 years-old. The CSA activity monitor was used as an objective measure of daily physical activity. Each student in the present study was scheduled to wear the CSA 3 times during the week of monitoring.


RESULTS
Boys were involved (p=/<0.05) in more time MVPA than girls. However only in the 11-13 year old group were found significant differences (p=/<0.05). Within gender, significant differences were found out among 11-13 years old (48.7 min) and 14-16 years (72.2 min). The time in MVPA increased across age group in both males and females. Boys participated in more periods of continuous physical activity, bouts of 10 and 20 min respectively, than girls. However no significant differences were found out.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data showed that children under observation, excepted girls in the 11-13 year old group, appear to meet the minimum physical activity level recommended for health. The data also suggested that boys are more active than girls are and that they were significantly more engaged in more time MVPA than girls did. Surprisingly our data showed an increase in MVPA time as age increases. Further studies are needed to compare the different cut off points assessed during daily activity.
Santos
P
P
Research Center in Physical Activity and Leisure, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Guerra
S
S
Ribeiro
J C
JC
Duarte
J A
JA
Mota
J
J
D000054:Acceleration; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012737:Sex Factors; D013996:Time and Motion Studies