title: Development and Testing of the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children: Elementary School.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study describes the development and pilot testing of the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity-Elementary School (OSRAC-E) Version.
  
  
  METHODS
  This system was developed to observe and document the levels and types of physical activity and physical and social contexts of physical activity in elementary school students during the school day. Interobserver agreement scores and summary data were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All categories had Kappa statistics greater than .80, with the exception of the activity initiator category. Interobserver agreement scores were 96% or greater. The OSRAC-E was shown to be a reliable observation system that allows researchers to assess physical activity behaviors, the contexts of those behaviors, and the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in the school environment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The OSRAC-E can yield data with high interobserver reliability and provide relatively extensive contextual information about the physical activity of students in elementary schools.
authors.affiliation: a University of South Carolina.
authors.forename: Kerry L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: McIver
authors.affiliation: a University of South Carolina.
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: b Michigan State University.
authors.forename: Karin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.affiliation: a University of South Carolina.
authors.forename: Marsha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dowda
authors.affiliation: a University of South Carolina.
authors.forename: Russell R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Pate
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012574:Schools; D012931:Social Environment
keywords: Direct observation; elementary school; objectivity; physical activity