title: The current state of physical activity assessment tools.
abstract: Physical activity (PA) is a behavior that involves bodily movements resulting in energy expenditure. When assessing PA, the goal is to identify the frequency, duration, intensity, and types of behaviors performed during a period of time. Self-report measures of PA include administration of questionnaires and completion of detailed diaries and/or brief logs. Direct measures include motion sensors such as accelerometers, pedometers, heart-rate monitors, and multiple-sensor devices. The PA assessment period can range from a few hours to a lifetime depending on the tools used. Considerations when selecting a PA tool should include the literacy requirements of a tool, the purpose for assessing PA, the recall or time period to measure, the validity evidence of an assessment tool for the populations measured, and the generalizability of the results to diverse populations.
authors.affiliation: Exercise Science and Health Promotion, School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ. Electronic address: barbara.ainsworth@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ainsworth
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Miller School of Medicine, Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami Health System, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cahalin
authors.affiliation: Exercise Science and Health Promotion, School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buman
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000379:methods; D019719:Diagnostic Equipment; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D009043:Motor Activity; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Accelerometers; Monitors; Pedometers; Questionnaires