The Take PART study (Physical Activity Research for Teenagers): rationale and methods.
BACKGROUND
The Take PART study--Physical Activity Research for Teenagers--was undertaken to assess (1) physical activity and sedentary behaviors, (2) indices of health and fitness, and (3) to provide information, from a social ecological perspective, on the correlates of physical activity in a large sample of 15- to 17-year-old Irish adolescents. This manuscript outlines the rationale and methodology of the Take PART study.


METHODS
A sample of 4720 students (mean age=16.03 years+/-0.66, range 15 to 17 years; 49.5% female) participated. Fifty participants were assessed during each 3-hour school visit, with a ratio of 1 researcher to 10 students. Standardized testing procedures and extensive researcher training ensured that intertester and intratester reliability for all physical measures was >or=.85. The height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure, and cardiorespiratory fitness protocols are explained. The questionnaire used well-known, valid, and reliable self-report measures. Where appropriate, additional psychometric testing was undertaken.


CONCLUSIONS
Take PART is a school-based study. Its methods are simple, easy to replicate, financially viable, and scientifically valid. Its unique dataset will allow the evaluation of a social ecological approach as a viable option for improving understanding of youth inactivity. Ultimately, this knowledge will assist in successful intervention design.
School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City Univeristy, Dublin, Ireland.
Catherine B
CB
Woods
Norah M
NM
Nelson
Donal J
DJ
O'Gorman
Elmear
E
Foley
Niall M
NM
Moyna
D000293:Adolescent; D000295:Adolescent Medicine; D000886:Anthropometry; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009043:Motor Activity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires