title: Methodology to Promote Physical Activity Monitoring Adherence in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Objective physical activity (PA) monitoringviaaccelerometry is both costly and time consuming. Furthermore, overall adherence to a monitoring protocol is often complicated by disability. Therefore, it is essential that strategies for supporting accelerometer wear for youth with disabilities are maximized. The purpose of this perspective was to provide researchers a set of efficacious PA monitoring strategies based on the retrospective examination of support methodology on adherence rates for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Accelerometer data were collected from 163 participants with ASD in three independent cohorts. Each cohort was provided a varying set of support strategies to help maximize adherence. Chi-square analysis was used to determine differences in adherence between each cohort.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adherence rates significantly increased from 51.9% in cohort 1 to 88.7% in cohort 2 [χ2(1) = 18.333,p< 0.001] and again from 88.7% in cohort 2 to 97.4% in cohort 3 [χ2(1) = 2.663,p= 0.103]. The greatest increase in adherence was observed from 51.9% in cohort 1 to 97.4% in cohort 3 [χ2(1) = 19.837,p< 0.001]. Support strategies associated with these increases included (1) social story, (2) incentive, (3) concealing techniques, and (4) 24 h/day wear instructions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adherence to PA measurement increased when additional support strategies were utilized in combination with a traditional protocol. We recommend these support methodology to be considered as preliminary best practices when measuring objective PA in youth with ASD with likely success in other disability populations.
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity for Youth with Disabilities (PLAY'D) Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University , East Lansing, MI , USA.
authors.forename: Janet L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hauck
authors.affiliation: Center for Physical Activity and Health in Pediatric Disabilities, School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, MI , USA.
authors.forename: Leah R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Ketcheson
authors.affiliation: Center for Physical Activity and Health in Pediatric Disabilities, School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, MI , USA.
authors.forename: Dale A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ulrich
keywords: accelerometer; adapted; disabilities; exercise; measurement; obesity; pediatrics; pedometer