title: Different Methods Yielded Two-Fold Difference in Compliance with Physical Activity Guidelines on School Days.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim was to compare the average and the days method in exploring the compliance of children with physical activity guidelines and describe their physical activity patterns in different school day segments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical activity was objectively measured in 472 children aged 6-13 for one school week. Children were compliant when fulfilling PA recommendations 1) on average over all measured days (average method) or 2) on at least four measured days (days method). To explore the difference in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) minutes between compliant and non-complaint children (using both the average and days method) in various day segments, linear mixed models was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compliance with physical activity guidelines was significantly higher with the average compared to the days method (51.7% and 23.7%, respectively). In segmented-day analysis, compliant children accrued more MVPA minutes in all day segments, especially during after-school. Gender differences appeared only during the in-school segments, where girls spent less time in MVPA (average method: -4.39 min, 95% CI = -5.36,-3.42, days method: -4.45 min, 95%CI = -5.46,-3.44). Older children accrued more MVPA minutes during physical education classes, but less during breaks, compared to younger children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The used methods yielded remarkably different prevalence estimates for compliance to physical activity recommendations. To ensure comparability between studies, interventions and reports, there is a need for internationally agreed operationalization and assessment methods of physical activity guidelines. As non-compliant children had lower MVPA during all day segments, greater efforts should be made to provide physical activity opportunities both during and after school.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Kerli
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mooses
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Jarek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mäestu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Eva-Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Riso
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Aave
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hannus
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mooses
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Priit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaasik
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Merike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kull
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004957:Estonia; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D012574:Schools