Scheduled for Measurement Free Communications, Saturday, April 5, 2003, 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM, Convention Center: 304


Free-Living Pedometer Step Counts of High School Students

Bridgette Wilde and Charles B. Corbin, Arizona State University-East, Mesa, AZ

With recent emphasis on the accumulation of moderate activity throughout the day, coupled with the fact that there is a trend toward decreasing activity as teens progress through high school, it is important to find a way to accurately and objectively measure the physical activity patterns of teens. The Digi-Walker pedometer has been shown to be an accurate, cost-effective, unobtrusive way to measure physical activity in children as well as adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the current activity levels of teens using an objective measure, the pedometer. A subjective measure from the National Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance Survey (NYRBSS) was also used. High school teens (N=603) wore sealed pedometers for four consecutive school days. Analysis showed no differences among grade, but did find a significant difference between sexes. In addition, significant differences in step counts were found between teens who participated in physical education and sports versus those who did not. Teens who self-reported meeting national recommendations for moderate and vigorous activity took significantly more steps than those teens who do not report meeting the recommendations and those who self-reported being sedentary took significantly fewer steps than those reporting some activity. It is clear that teens who participate in bouts of activity (physical education, sport, or daily bouts indicated by survey questions) are more likely to be active in free living situations (as assessed by pedometer step counts) than those who are not involved in activity bouts.

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