title: Reliability and Validity of Physical Activity Instruments Used in Children and Youth With Physical Disabilities: A Systematic Review.
abstract: Research often characterizes children and youth with physical disabilities as less physically active than their typically developing peers. To inform the development and evaluation of future interventions, it is important to identify the most accurate methods for assessing physical activity behavior in this population. The objectives of this review were 1) to identify the self-report and objective instruments used to examine habitual physical activity behavior within this population and 2) to determine the reliability and validity of these instruments. Following a standardized protocol, a systematic review was conducted using six electronic databases and a range of search terms. Fifty studies (N = 2,613; Mage = 11.3 ± 2.6 years; 53% male) were included. Seven disability groups were examined, with the majority of studies focused on cerebral palsy (64%) and juvenile arthritis (20%). Poor to good reliability and weak validity were found among the self-report instruments such as questionnaires and activity diaries. Good to excellent reliability and validity were established for the objective instruments such as activity monitors (e.g., accelerometers, pedometers). Further research is warranted among physical disability groups other than cerebral palsy, and in establishing reliability and validity of self-report physical activity instruments specific to these target groups.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Zlata
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Volfson
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arbour-Nicitopoulos
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D056044:Actigraphy / Q000295:instrumentation; D000293:Adolescent; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile; D002547:Cerebral Palsy; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D000072936:Fitness Trackers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires